Jeremy Mayfield went to Atlanta Motor Speedway last weekend in hopes of repeating Billy Ballew Motorsports’ victory from one year ago in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Unfortunately, a punctured radiator caused the No. 15 Quest Global/Red Top Auto Auction Chevrolet to overheat and end the day for the defending winners of the EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200.

“I must have run over something out there with the late cautions we had,” said Mayfield. “There was a hole in the grill of the No.15 Quest Global/Red Top Auto Auction Chevrolet which also put a hole in the radiator. The truck started overheating and by the time I realized it, there were only 15 or so laps to go. We tried to ride it to the finish, but it didn’t quite work out. We were fighting a loose condition for most of the race and just couldn’t get the handle on it. I just have to thank Billy Ballew and all the guys on the No. 15 team for the two opportunities I had to drive for them. It was definitely a good time, and maybe there will be more in the future.”

After posting the 28th fastest time in practice, Mayfield laid down quite a lap during his qualifying run. Mayfield turned a lap good enough for the 13th starting spot for the 130-lap race.

After rolling off, the No. 15 Quest Global/Red Top Auto Auction Chevrolet fell to 17th place when the first caution waved on lap four. Mayfield noted the truck was a little tight off, but thought it would come around with more time on the track. The second caution came on lap 14 and crew chief Richie Wauters called for Mayfield to bring the No. 15 in the pits for some adjustments. To help free the truck up, they went up on the trackbar while putting on four tires and filling up with fuel.

Mayfield restarted in 21st place and made his way up to 16th position when the third caution came out on lap 41 for debris. Mayfield called in to Wauters to let him know that the adjustments now had made him loose. Wauters brought Mayfield back down pit road to reverse the first adjustments and put on 20-lap scuff tires. With the quick work of the No. 66 NEXTEL Cup team pitting the No. 15 truck, Mayfield was able to restart in 14th place.

Mayfield quickly complained he was “bad loose.” The No. 15 Quest Global Chevrolet went a lap down at halfway. During the fourth caution on lap 78, Mayfield once again came down pit road for four sticker tires, fuel and a spring adjustment. Unfortunately, the adjustments still didn’t seem to work as Mayfield was still complaining of being severely loose. More adjustments followed during the fifth caution on lap 90. On lap 112, Mayfield called in saying the temperatures were running in the 245-250 range. Two laps later, the engine expired due to the overheating. The No. 15 Quest Global/Red Top Auto Auction Chevrolet was forced to retire and settle for a 31st place finish.

Billy Ballew Motorsports dropped to the 20th position in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Owners Points standings with three races remaining in the 2006 season. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series now heads to Texas Motor Speedway for Friday night’s race. Kyle Busch will return to the seat of the No. 15 Chevrolet.