Mayfield Pleased Despite Duel Finish

DAYTONA, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2008) – Jeremy Mayfield drove his Junior Johnson’s Midnight Moon Chevrolet Impala SS to a 20th-place finish in Thursday’s first Gatorade Duel 150 race at Daytona International Speedway.

Mayfield and his No. 70 Haas CNC Racing team fell behind the pack following a slow pit stop and were never able to regain the draft.

“Overall I think we’ve had a great Speed Weeks,” Mayfield said. “We had some trouble during our pit stop today that put us behind but I feel real good about the car.

“We haven’t had any handling or tire problems. That’s the biggest thing,” Mayfield said. “I honestly feel like we’re going to have a great Daytona 500.”

The Gatorade Duel 150 races are used to set the field for the Daytona 500 (other than the front row which as set by last Sunday’s qualifying times) and Mayfield’s 20th-place finish put him in the 33rd position on the Daytona 500 starting grid.