At the very beginning of this year NASCAR initiated a new substance abuse policy. Part of that policy featured random drug testing during a race weekend. The bottom line here was clearly evident: NASCAR has a zero tolerance policy towards drivers being behind the wheel of their race cars while under the influence of drugs.
The new policy was heralded by the drivers, team owners, the racing media and the fans. Many said it was about time a stronger policy was introduced. It was also noted that NASCAR’s new substance abuse policy made them stand considerably taller above the programs used by the other major sports in this country.
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It only took roughly a month before NASCAR proved their new policy had big teeth. The first indefinite suspension, for violating the policy, was handed down to a crew member from Jeremy Mayfield Motorsports. Mayfield at the time said he strongly respected and supported NASCAR’s substance abuse policy and the crew member was reportedly released from his duties.
You can well imagine the shock of discovering that the second indefinite suspension, handed down by NASCAR, was Mayfield himself. That surprising news was announced during the Darlington Raceway weekend. It was revealed that Mayfield was selected for random testing, following the race at Richmond held the week before, and the test turned up positive. So did a second,back up, urine sample.
At the time Mayfield said he felt the problem was the fact that he had combined a prescribed medicine, issued by his personal physician, with an over the counter, OTC, allegery medication known as Claritin D. He also made it clear that he was not one who believed in the use of recreational and illegal narcotics. He also said he would be working closely with Dr. David Black to resolve the situation. Dr Black operates the Tennessee based Aegis Sciences Corporation who oversees NASCAR substance abuse testing procedures.
The indefinite suspension handed down to Mayfield impacted him both as a driver and a team owner. The terms states that he is not allowed to participate in any NASCAR sanctioned events both on and off the track. The team ownership was transferred to Mayfield’s wife, Shania, with NASCAR’s approval. Driver J J Yeley was named as interim driver so the team could maintain operations. Mayfield Motorsports’ sponsors, led by All Sport, indicated that they were staying in place while taking a wait and see position.
Mayfield’s earlier pledge to respect and support the program, including working with Dr Black, has taken a rather amazing turn over the past several days. Tempers are flaring on both sides and this story has the making of a potential nasty situation. It’s also has many observers thinking that Mayfield is either incredibly innocent or incredibly crazy. Here’s the breakdown on this dispute:
MAY 16TH.
Despite being told that his suspension will not allow him to participate in any NASCAR sanctioned event, on or off the track, Mayfield makes a surprise appearance at the Lowes Motor Speedway during the All Star weekend. He said he was there to watch his team race and had purchased a garage and hospitality area pass.
He was accompanied by a personal video crew which he said was arranged long before he was tested and suspended.
He conducted an impromptu press conference and said he had no intentions of submitting to counselling and rehab with Dr Black’s program despite the fact it was the fastest path to getting reinstated as a driver. That decision was based on the fact that he has nothing to do with drugs. While maintaining his innocence, he again stated that the failed test was due to a prescirption drug combined with the Claritin. He didn’t specifically say what that prescription medicine was.
He also said that he offered to submit to a hair follicle test which is more comprehensive than the standard urine test but that offer was declined.
Mayfield claimed that no one, including Dr Black and NASCAR, has ever revealed to him exactly what the banned substance was that was found in his test results. He also said he never received a copy of the test results.
After again maintaining that the Claritin D allergy medication, mixed with his prescription, created a positive test result, Mayfield surprised the media by claiming that NASCAR was protecting a high profile sponsor. Claritin is the sponsor of Carl Edward’s Roush Fenway Racing Ford and is a high profile advertiser on the race broadcasts.
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Mayfield next dropped a major bomb when he told the media that he was considering legal action against NASCAR and Aegis Sciences Corporation..
Later in the day Mayfield was seen on top of a hospitality unit hosted by The National Guard where he granted a private interview with NASCAR writer/ESPN analyst Marty Smith.
By this point NASCAR became aware of Mayfield’s presence and reminded him that the terms of his suspension prohibited from being in the garage area. Mayfield reportedly said that he must have misunderstood the rule, left the premises and said that he would comply with from now on.
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