CATAWBA, N.C. --- Jeremy Mayfield sat in the back of his large barn Friday morning about 800 miles from where NASCAR's season-ending weekend was kicking off. Several hundred people surrounded him, listening intently as a fast-speaking auctioneer sold dozens of items.
Banned from driving by NASCAR after testing positive for methamphetamines, Mayfield has become an auction fanatic. Only this time, he was selling his own stuff, ranging from a second home, land, cars, dirt bikes and bulldozers to weed-whackers, humidifiers and sunglasses.
If it was all sold by the end of the day it would be worth about $5 million, money needed to help his ongoing court fight to be reinstated to the sport. The legal fight has cost Mayfield his race team and has put him into debt, although he disputed claims that he owes his former attorney money.
STAYING PUT: Jeff Gordon still has Cup title No. 5 in sight. And his boss expects him to stick around a few more years to try and win at least one more.
Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick waved off any idea that Gordon's career was nearing the finish line. He said he expected Gordon to drive at least "three or four" more seasons before retiring.
ON THE MOVE: Kasey Kahne might be maxed out at RPM. Kahne is strongly considering bolting Richard Petty Motorsports after his contract expires next year because of the instability surrounding the organization.
Kahne, who will start shopping around for a new team in January, said he hasn't heard from majority owner George Gillett Jr . about a new deal.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
