It didn't seem as if it was going to be a gamble to place an experienced driver with Billy Ballew Motorsports, as much of their success has come from those with lots of laps under their belts.  NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series veteran Jeremy Mayfield jumped behind the wheel of the No. 15 Convoy of Hope/Craig Morgan Chevrolet for his second career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start this past Saturday night at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  Handling issues throughout the race plagued Mayfield's chances for a victory and thus producing a 23rd place finish for the team that won the same event two years ago and has one victory in 2006.

"I was really excited to race out here this weekend for Billy (Ballew) and everyone on this No. 15 team," commented Mayfield following the race.  "This is a great race team, but our finish is definitely not indicative of how well this team can run.  It just felt like we had a wheel loose, but I know that's not what it was.  The No. 15 Convoy of Hope/Craig Morgan Chevy would vibrate off the corners and there wasn't much we could do for it.  We made several adjustments throughout the race and the guys kept digging trying to get it better and there at the end was the best the truck had handled.  We just ran out of time."

Mayfield started the Smith's Las Vegas 350 from the 22nd position and remained there until the first caution waved on lap 26.  Mayfield was complaining the No. 15 Convoy of Hope/Craig Morgan Chevy was real tight.  Crew chief Richie Wauters made the call for them to pit and to take on four new tires, fuel and a trackbar adjustment.  Mayfield restarted in 20th place, actually picking up a few spots.

Mayfield continued to run in the 20th position when the second caution came out shortly thereafter on lap 34.  In the few short laps they ran, Mayfield was able to assess his truck's handling.  The No. 15 was still a tick tight, but better than it was.  The BBM team elected to pit once again to try to cure this ailing predicament and made some trackbar and wedge adjustments.  Mayfield restarted in 33rd place and picked up five spots in the next four laps.  The next caution period was on lap 53 and again, Mayfield complained of still being tight.  This time, Wauters called for some serious changes, including trackbar, wedge, tire pressure and opening up the right front shock.

After returning to action, Wauters let Mayfield know the caution was a good break for the team, as their left front tire was beginning to go flat.  Some of the handling issues could have been caused by this tire and therefore, the drastic changes made on the last pit stop had reversed the handling and Mayfield was now complaining of being loose.  During cautions four, five and six, Mayfield would bring the No. 15 Convoy of Hope/Craig Morgan Chevy down pit road to continue to adjust the handling.  After the final stop, Mayfield was running times equivalent to those of the leader, but unfortunately was running in the 20th position.  On the final caution, Mayfield acknowledged the truck was finally coming around, but knew there was very little time to get to the front with 21 laps remaining in the 146-lap event.  Mayfield dropped a couple more positions and the Billy Ballew Motorsports team had to settle for a 23rd place finish.

"We have one race together under out belts," Mayfield continued.  "I plan on running with these guys again at Atlanta in a few weeks and we'll definitely have our ducks in a row.  I'm looking forward to running in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series again and I'm glad I have the opportunity to do so with Richie, Billy and all the guys on this race team."