“For being a small, startup team that’s struggled, I have to consider every potential scenario for our race team. Everybody’s feelings are kind of sensitive at the moment, and I’d have to be very aware of everything involved.”

Gunselman, who does not have a sponsor lined up for next week in Chicago, said he’d be willing to work with Mayfield going forward.

“I’ve been involved in NASCAR for a long time, and I’m hoping all parties can put this thing behind them and move forward in a positive manner,” he said. “If I can help mediate that or be somehow involved in that, that would be wonderful.”

There was mixed reaction throughout the garage whether Mayfield will be able to move past the suspension and the ongoing lawsuits. Many drivers said they believed Mayfield will blend right in when he does return, but Baldwin doesn’t think it will be so easy.

“We all like Jeremy, there’s no doubt about that,” he said. “The unfortunate thing is the last couple months here, he’s gone through his struggles and it’s not going to help him in the business world of racing, that’s for sure.”

Plus, finding work or getting his own team back to the track will be a difficult challenge.

“He didn’t have a job prior to this,” Jeff Burton said. “I don’t think (team owners) Rick Hendrick or Richard Childress were going to call him, anyway. I’m not being ugly; it’s just the truth. Without a doubt, there’s now an asterisk next to his name, and that’s going to make it a whole lot harder.”