Jeremy Mayfield has now come out and at least attempted to end a longstanding feud, stating that he is ready to mend his relationship with former team owner Ray Evernham.

These comments are significant not only because they provide resolution to one of NASCAR’s most infamous splits, but because it was the duality of Mayfield and Evernham that transformed Evernham Motorsports into a serious contender during the mid-2000s before their greatly publicized feud in 2006.

Speaking on The Jeremy Mayfield Show, when asked whether he would have Evernham on as a guest, Mayfield responded, “I'd love to have Ray on here. Ray and I have just about, we got to the point where we were talking again and then I done the Download with Dale and I said a couple things on there that didn't need to be said.”

He said that despite the renewed friction due to his mistake, “It's not that we're not cordial to each other now.”

Mayfield had an excellent stretch with Evernham throughout the years from 2002 to 2006, where he not only won two Cup Series races but also qualified for the NASCAR Chase for the Nextel Cup two years in a row in 2004 and 2005.

Reflecting on that period, he said, “We were close, man. We were like best friends for a while, you know, and we flew together everywhere and we did things together, run sprint cars together. And I mean, I had a great relationship.”

He continued, “Then everything just took a wrong turn from there,” before adding, “he's done good for himself, you know? And I'm happy for him.”

Mayfield concluded with the consequences of the split, reflecting sadly, “I'm not racing anymore. You ain't racing anymore in the Cup Series. Neither is Brian... So now we're all sitting here doing what? Off of what? All gone, you know?”

Now, despite us knowing the background, it is necessary to recollect why Mayfield, despite such records, quit NASCAR.

Why Jeremy Mayfield Was Suspended by NASCAR

Jeremy Mayfield’s wonderful run in NASCAR came to an abrupt halt in 2009 when the racing body placed him under indefinite suspension for failing a prohibited-substance screening that was conducted under NASCAR’s wellness policy.

As a result, he was immediately suspended from competition, making him the first driver ever to be disciplined under the program.

Mayfield immediately denied any wrongdoing and argued that the failed result was due to a combination of prescribed Adderall and allergy medication.

This dispute went on for a long time, even reaching the courts. Ultimately, Mayfield was provided respite by a federal judge on July 1, 2009, which allowed him to race again.

This, however, was not the end of this unfortunate reality, as Mayfield was once again suspended by the body after it reported another failed screening from a test conducted on July 6, 2009.

Since then, the story of this champion’s racing history came to an unfortunate end as he never completed NASCAR’s Road to Recovery program, which is necessary for reinstatement, thereby continuing his indefinite suspension to this day.

Written by

Uday Jakhar

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason