Mayfield is the replacement for Haas team

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jeremy Mayfield will take over a new NASCAR Nextel Cup ride four races early, replacing Jeff Green in the No. 66 Haas CNC Racing entry for the rest of the season.

Mayfield is leaving Bill Davis Racing, and the No. 36 BDR ride he is giving up will be shared for now by Craftsman Truck series regulars Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson.

Mayfield will replace Green in the 66 Chevrolet, beginning with Sunday’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Haas team announced earlier this month that Scott Riggs, currently with Gillette Evernham Motorsports, would replace Green or No. 70 driver Johnny Sauter in 2008. It hasn’t been determined which car Mayfield will drive next year.

Mayfield qualified for only 13 of the 32 Cup races this season, with a season-best finish of 22nd last month at Kansas. He is ranked 48th in the standings.

Green had three top-10 finishes — a trio of sixths — in 32 starts this season. He is ranked 27th.

Skinner, who leads the truck series in a close duel with Ron Hornaday Jr., will drive the 36 Toyota Camry at Atlanta and again the following weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Benson will finish the season in the BDR car at Phoenix and Homestead.