Frustration in Phoenix for Mayfield, Haas CNC Racing Team

AVONDALE, AZ. (Nov. 11, 2007)– If it were possible to hit the “reset” button on a race weekend, no one could blame driver Jeremy Mayfield and his Haas CNC Racing team for pulling the plug on their tough time at Phoenix International Raceway.

The team struggled all weekend to find a setup that worked on the No. 66 Haas Automation Chevrolet, and were only able to post the 40th-fastest time during qualifying on Friday afternoon.

The team’s trials continued during both practice sessions on Saturday, and throughout the first two-thirds of Sunday’s 312-lap NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event.

Mayfield told his crew chief, Harold Holly, that the No. 66 wouldn’t turn heading into the corners, a “tight” handling condition the team could not alleviate, despite multiple chassis adjustments.

In spite of the obstacles, the Haas crew’s “never give up” attitude had them determined to salvage as good a finish as possible on the day. Lady Luck was not showing the team any favors, though, as something broke under the hood of the No. 66 Chevrolet around lap 212, ending the team’s day. Mayfield and his Haas CNC crew were credited with a 39th-place finish.

“We could never get a handle on it,” Mayfield said. “We threw a lot of changes at it, but it just wasn’t making the difference we though it should. It’s frustrating when you try everything you know to try, and still can’t get the handle on the car like you want it. We’ve got a lot of work to do during the offseason, but I’m still excited to be here and about our future.”

The race was won by Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet), marking his fourth win in a row, and his 10th victory of the 2007 season. followed by Greg Biffle (No. 16 Dish Network Ford), Matt Kenseth (No. 17 DeWalt Ford), Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Ford) and Ryan Newman (No. 12 Alltel Dodge).

Johnson now leads the points standings in the Chase for the Championship by 86 points over second-place Jeff Gordon heading into the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida. Clint Bowyer is still in third, but trails Johnson by 241 points, which mathematically eliminates Bowyer from a chance at the title. Fourth is held by Kyle Busch, and the top-five is rounded out by Tony Stewart.

Joe Custer, owner of the No. 66 team, is 31st in points heading into the last race of the year.

The NASCAR season closes out next weekend at the 1.5-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway, located about 30 miles south of Miami, Fla. The 400-mile NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race will air live on Sunday, Nov. 18, beginning at 3 p.m. ET on ABC and MRN Radio affiliates.