Jeremy Mayfield (Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images)

Billy Ballew Motorsports continues to add to their impressive list of drivers for 2006. For this weekend’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, owner Billy Ballew has tabbed NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series veteran Jeremy Mayfield to pilot the No. 15 Convoy for Hope/Craig Morgan Chevrolet. Mayfield has only one previous start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series coming in 2003 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

“I’m really excited to run with Billy Ballew Motorsports at Las Vegas,” Mayfield said. “I like Billy a lot and have a ton of respect for him and his race team. I can’t wait to work with (crew chief) Richie Wauters this weekend. I just can’t really say how pumped I am to be running with this team at Las Vegas. Hopefully, we’ll have a good run and be able to build on it for the future. I really like what Billy’s done and what they have going on over there and hopefully, we’ll be able to get them back in Victory Lane. The truck’s black; my favorite color is black and I’m looking forward to pulling the No. 15 Convoy of Hope/Craig Morgan Chevrolet into the Winner’s Circle on Saturday night.”

“We’re extremely pleased to have Jeremy Mayfield come race for us this weekend,” said team owner Ballew. “He’s a proven winner and I have no doubt he’ll be able to get the job done for us. We were able to win this race two years ago and it would definitely be nice to be able to repeat that feat. The competition in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is tough, but we’ve selected the right driver to be able to contest for the victory.”

Billy Ballew Motorsports was able to capture the 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Luck didn’t fall their way in 2005, as rookie David Gilliland piloted the No. 15 to a 22nd place finish. For 2006, the odds are favorable for the Billy Ballew Motorsports team to repeat their victory from 2004 with Mayfield behind the wheel. Mayfield’s best finish at LVMS in a NEXTEL Cup machine was a second place effort in 2002.

Convoy of Hope, along with country music artist Craig Morgan, has come on board at the last minute to help fuel the efforts of Mayfield and Billy Ballew Motorsports. Convoy of Hope, a nonprofit organization, serves in the United States and around the world providing disaster relief, building supply lines and sponsoring outreaches to the poor and hurting in communities. During a COH outreach, free groceries are distributed, job and health fairs are organized and activities for children are provided.

Craig Morgan, whose latest hit include “The Redneck Yacht Club” and “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” will perform a concert in which the profits will go towards the Convoy of Hope. Morgan has a new album dropping on October 31 and hopes the exposure on the No. 15 will fuel album purchases, as well as concert goers. Mayfield also plans to donate his share of the purse from Saturday night’s race to the Convoy of Hope.

The Las Vegas 350 gets underway at 9:15 ET from the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Check out all the action live on SPEED Channel, MRN and XM Satellite Radio.