NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series

Photos and story © 2005 Dwight Drum
Web work by Gary Larsen

Jeremy Mayfield Driver, No. 19 Dodge Charger

"It's all about your talent and how bad you want something. I had to come up my way."

Jeremy Mayfield seems to have the hanging-in-there principal a race car driver needs to have to participate in the top ranks of motorsports. Last year Mayfield qualified for the top 10 in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series' Chase for the Championship and so far this year remains a contender to repeat. NASCAR drivers are fortunate to have rides in the big show, but getting there takes more than luck. It takes money, of course, and somebody has to notice the required talent.

It also takes an ability to convey your personality and sponsorship. Mayfield gives Zoomster.com an insight into the two biggest skills a NASCAR driver needs, orator and operator.

Time: Early season 2005
Place: Daytona International Speedway

"It just comes natural. It's part of our deal. You realize that's what makes our world go round. You have to take care of your sponsors and that's part of the deal. You don't have to program yourself. We say it so much. It's the normal deal. It's a part of our life. "

Dwight asked Jeremy:

"No. We're pretty normal with each other."

"That's where you come up. I think Bill is his own man. You come up the way you got to come up. I've come up where I didn't have anybody to help me. I guess hopefully that's what he's saying. I've learned a lot over my short years of experience and I guess that's what he means. When I came into this deal I was Bill Elliott's teammate I already had experience I really didn't have the need to train, but he has helped out Kasey a lot. "

Do you think that it's a trait you have that you could learn along the way? Is there something about you that makes you be able to be a driver?

"Yeah. I think you start out young. It's just experience. It's all about your talent and how bad you want something. I didn't have anything growing up. You know what I mean? I didn't have the support of family members already racing. I had to come up my way, my own way to get here. Along the way you've got a lot of help getting here. You've got to put yourself in the position to get that help.

"If you don't have anybody to help you, find a way. Don't let anybody tell you that you can't. You've got to take chances, get moved and get out of town. Do what you ever you have to do to get there in our sport. It's what I did coming up "