NASCAR Daily News Headlines * December 25, 2008

Mayfield Delivers Gifts

For years, Morgan Shepherd, who has a notable motorsports legacy, has become an even bigger hero in northern North Carolina and southern Virginia thanks to the bus trip he makes delivering Christmas cheer, gifts and provisions along the way. Jeremy Mayfield's hoping that he just had a big part in starting a similar tradition in Charlotte, N.C.

Mayfield had a 2008 season in the Sprint Cup Series that would have beaten a lesser man completely into the dirt, and with driving opportunities dwindling as the economy droops by the day, 2009 is nothing but uncertain.

But for Mayfield and his wife, Shana, a commitment to community has never been far from their minds. So when Mayfield contacted ARCA team owner Doc Watson about making something happen, Watson helped engineer their support of last weekend's "Hope for the Holidays" celebration held at the KIPP Academy of Charlotte and organized by the Eastside Community Development Corporation.

Mayfield was there with Watson and his two ARCA drivers, Kory Rabenold and Rob Jones, and the event was a big enough deal that Charlotte mayor pro tem Susan Burgess and N.C. State Representative Becky Carney also attended.

But it was the mob of about 125 kids, aged 5 to 12, and their families that really struck a chord with the Mayfields.

"It was great to see the happiness on the kids' faces -- and their families," Jeremy Mayfield said. "They were so appreciative of the gifts and food we were able to give them. Even though we feel like we've had a tough couple of years, this really put in perspective how truly blessed we really are.(nascar.com)

Accidents Down In 2008

Wrecks during this year's Chase also fell 33% from 89 in '07 to 60 this year, the lowest in the playoff's five-year existence.

"It is encouraging," NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said. "However, one season isn't necessarily a trend, as we know these numbers tend to be cyclical by nature. These are some promising results, though."

Many drivers chalked it up to a season-long process setting up the car's handling for all tracks. Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch seemed to have it figured out in combining for 24 victories this season.

One huge surprise was Rookie of the Year Regan Smith, who had the third-lowest accident rate (12%) and became the first Cup rookie to finish every race.

Rookie Sam Hornish Jr., a former Indianapolis 500 and three-time IRL IndyCar Series champion, topped the list with 20 accidents in 34 starts (59%).

"Everyone is just getting better and better," said series runner-up Edwards, who had the fourth-lowest accident rate. "Guys are realizing how to race and not make mistakes, so I think part of this is the sport changing a little bit, and I think part of it is the car. But it's hard to put your finger on (the exact reason)."

NASCAR introduced the car last season with intentions of enhancing competition and driver safety. While drivers insist the former is an ongoing process, they marveled at the car's forgiving traits despite a design that invites more action.

"The cars are just tougher and less aero(dynamically) dependent, and when they're less aero dependent, that allows you to continue on," 2004 champion Kurt Busch said. "The thing that's missing is downforce. If the car has downforce, it can race better behind the car that's in front of it."

Drivers had all the more reason to push the envelope — and each other — a bit harder this season with a car as indestructible as a Sherman tank. But other than a 12-car melee at Talladega Superspeedway in October that collected several contenders in NASCAR's championship Chase, such over-the-top incidents were rare during the model's first full Cup season. And for all those attributes praised by the sport's body shops, drivers countered with complaints that the car also drove like an armored vehicle, making bump-and-run racing impossible.

That might explain the decrease in accidents and spins. Certainly, Cup drivers aren't suggesting the racing landscape became kindler or gentler this past season; but they acknowledge that risk-taking was hard because the car wouldn't cooperate.(USA Today)