Ex-racer Mayfield’s home to be burned for training

The million-dollar home once owned by former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield is scheduled to be burned to the ground as part of a fire training exercise.

The Catawba County Fire Marshal's Office says the 12,000-square-foot unfinished house will be burned down on Saturday.

Catawba Fire Chief Donald Robinson said the new owners no longer want the home that is worth just over $300,000.

Robinson told WSOC in Charlotte that burning the home will take it off the tax books while providing training for firefighters in the county.

"Everything we can do to better our training and skills, that's what we are going to be doing with this house," Robinson said.

State officials kicked Mayfield off the land in November 2012. Catawba County sheriff's deputies changed the locks on the doors. Carolina Farm Credit received an order that month transferring the land and buildings to the company. Court records show the bank bought the land for $1,725,000.

The windows and the wiring have been stripped from the home. Drywall and other building materials are now exposed.

Mayfield was suspended from driving in 2009 after testing positive for methamphetamine. He is facing a variety of charges.

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Ex-racer Mayfield's home to be burned for training