Ray Evernham
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Ray Evernham (born August 26, 1957 in Hazlet, New Jersey) is currently a NASCAR owner for Evernham Motorsports with drivers Kasey Kahne, Scott Riggs and Elliott Sadler as well as development driver Erin Crocker. In 1999, Ray won the NASCAR Winston Cup Illustrated “Person of the Year”.
Evernham was a crew chief for NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon from late 1992 to 1999. The dynamic duo of Gordon and Evernham won 47 Cup races, 3 Cup championships (1995, 1997, and 1998) and were the dominant team in NASCAR Cup competition at the time. Then, Ray left Hendrick Motorsports and Gordon/Evernham Motorsports (GEM) in 1999 to form his own team Evernham Motorsports. The team would also be the cornerstone for Dodge's return to NEXTEL Cup racing in 2001.
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[edit] Revival of Dodge
Founded in 1999, Evernham Motorsports was created to lead Dodge back into prominence in NASCAR’s elite racing series and field two competitive teams. Today, with the backing of nearly 3,000 Dodge Dealers and the Chrysler Group’s performance brand Dodge, Evernham is fielding cars in the NEXTEL Cup Series, Busch Series, and Craftsman Truck Series, as well as in the ARCA, USAC and Dodge Weekly Racing series. Before the 2001 NEXTEL Cup season, a Dodge had not raced in the series since Phil Good at the Pocono Raceway in June of 1985. Evernham led Dodge's return to NASCAR by fielding two full-time cars in the 2001 season. Bill Elliott was named to drive the No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge on March 10, 2000. The driver of the No. 19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge was announced to be Casey Atwood.
In 2002, Jeremy Mayfield was added to Evernham's program, taking over the No. 19 Dodge from Atwood. In 2002, Evernham found success with his new program by witnessing Mayfield win the Winston Open, as well as Bill Elliott winning the Pennsylvania 500. The following race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was also won by Bill Elliott.
In 2006, Jeremy Mayfield was fired for "lack of performance" and for comments deterimental to the team. In August 2006 Elliott Sadler was announced as the new driver of the 19 car.
[edit] Controversy
During the 2006 season, former Evernham driver Jeremy Mayfield was fired from the #19 car for 'lack of performance,' as stated by the Evernham team. Court documents reveal that Mayfield blames Ray's personal life, included a claim that a "close personal relationship" had developed between Evernham and development driver Erin Crocker, and "sub-par" equipment as the reasons he has not won a race in 2006. [1]
Ray Evernham is also known for having been penalized with the 2nd largest fine in the history of NASCAR. The fine was for $60,000 and was imposed for using unapproved suspension parts on Jeff Gordon's car in May, 1995. It was originally the largest fine in NASCAR history, until being eclipsed by Michael Waltrip Racing.
[edit] Statistics
- For the fifth consecutive year, an Evernham Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge visited victory lane, and for the first time both the No. 19 and No. 9 Dodge Chargers scored victories in the same season in 2005.
- In 2005, Evernham's teams won twice (Kahne at Richmond and Mayfield at Michigan) and collected nine top-fives, 17 top-10s and two poles. Mayfield earned a spot in the Chase for the Championship for the second year in a row finishing ninth. His Busch teams earned one win, four top-fives, eight top-10s and three poles.
- In the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup season, Evernham’s teams scored one victory (Mayfield at Richmond), 18 top-five and 28 top-10 finishes. The No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge and No. 19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge combined for an Evernham Motorsports team-high six poles. Jeremy Mayfield also made the Inaugural Chase for the Nextel Cup, finishing tenth.
- In 2003, Evernham teams scored 13 top-five and 24 top-10 finishes. Evernham scored his eighth pole as a team owner with Jeremy Mayfield in April at Talladega.
- In 2002, Evernham’s teams earned two wins, including the prestigious Brickyard 400, four poles, eight top-five and 17 top-10 finishes. Evernham also scored a non-points win and the pole in the 2002 Winston Open with Jeremy Mayfield.
- Evernham has amassed seven victories, 16 poles, 54 top-five and 99 top-10 finishes as a team owner.*
- First NASCAR Winston Cup Series win for Evernham Motorsports: 2001 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway with Elliott.
- NASCAR Winston Cup Scene “Crew Chief of the Decade”.
- Three-Time NASCAR Winston Cup Champion (1995, 1997, 1998).
- Won 47 races in the Winston Cup Series prior to becoming a team owner.
- 116 top-five finishes in the Winston Cup Series prior to becoming a team owner.
- NASCAR Winston Cup Illustrated “Person of the Year” (1999).
- Built and drove Modified Division cars from 1979 through 1983 and again in 1991.
- In 1983, helped bring the IROC Series back to the track after a three-year absence.
[edit] External links
| Evernham Motorsports | |
| Nextel Cup Drivers | Kasey Kahne (#9) | Scott Riggs (#10) | Elliott Sadler (#19) |
| Driver development program participants | Kevin Swindell | Erin Crocker |
| Partnerships and Affiliations | BAM Racing | Brevak Racing | Fitz Motorsports | Curb Agajanian Performance Group | Petty Enterprises |
| Other | Ray Evernham | Valvoline (#10) |
