2005 Racing Issue - UAW-Chrysler.com

LEFT CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: GETTY (2), BOB MAHONEY; THIS PAGE: BOB MAHONEY
Racing as a fabricator, and he pretty
much worked every job he could find
around the race shop, waiting to
prove his skills behind the wheel. He
got his chance. By 1987, he was
tearing up the ARCA Series, earning
Rookie of the Year from the
Kentucky speedway. He made his
debut in the Winston Cup Series in
1993 at Charlotte Motor Speedway;
went full-time in 1995; and, in 2001,
joined Ray Evernham to drive his
No. 19 Dodge co-sponsored by
the UAW-DaimlerChrysler National
Training Center.
As for this season? “We’re coming
in with a ton of confidence,”
Mayfield says. “We know what
we’re capable of doing, and we’re
going to do it that much better.”
And this season, the No. 19 has
a new crew chief in Richard
“Slugger” Labbe, who took over
from Kenny Francis.
That the No. 19 team is pursuing
the Cup in a Charger just makes
it all the sweeter. “This is really a
great car,” Mayfield says. “What I
really appreciate about being with
Dodge is that they spend so much
time and resources making sure that
the job is done right. They support
our team in every way possible.
They’re going to be with us, every
step of the way, to make sure we all
share in the success.”
And he’ll be pulling some moonlight
duty as well this season, as
Mayfield drives the classic No. 64
Miller High Life Dodge for team
owner Rusty Wallace in the Busch
Series. “It’s just going to be so much
fun driving it,” Mayfield says. “The
Miller Lite car is a classic, and Rusty
Kasey Kahne’s pit crew in action.
Wallace is a legend.” ■ TOMORROW SPECIAL RACING 2005 15