Jeremy Mayfield denies using illegal drugs; won't seek rehab
Suspended NASCAR driver/owner Jeremy Mayfield spoke to reporters Saturday at Lowe's Motor Speedway. // Mark Sluder, NASCAR Scene
CONCORD, N.C. – Suspended NASCAR driver/owner Jeremy Mayfield denied Saturday that he had used illegal drugs to cause a positive drug test taken May 1 and vowed he would not go through drug rehabilitation.
Mayfield also stated NASCAR hasn't even sent him a paper copy of the test indicating which substance yielded the positive result.
Having watched the Sprint Showdown from an infield hospitality area, Mayfield spoke with a handful of reporters for about 10 minutes at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
NASCAR suspended Mayfield May 9 for a failed drug test May 1 at Richmond. Mayfield stated May 9 that a mix of over-the-counter and prescription drugs had caused the positive result. But NASCAR Chairman Brian France said Friday it was a “serious” violation resulting from a positive test for either performance-enhancing or illegal recreational drugs that led to Mayfield's automatic indefinite suspension.
In response to France’s comments Friday, Mayfield said, “that’s what he indicates [about my test], but they’ve indicated something different every day of the week. I’ve heard the same story y’all have heard. I really don’t want to say a whole lot.
“All I can say is look at me, I’m alive. I’m well. I’m the same guy I was Thursday night before Richmond, Friday night at Richmond, Saturday night at Richmond. I ran the race and I’m the same guy today as I’ve always been. My credibility should speak for something.”
Mayfield, who has 433 career starts with five victories and two Chase For The Sprint Cup appearances, was asked if he denied using illegal drugs to cause the positive result.
“Am I denying it? Yeah, I’m denying it. Illegal drugs? Yeah, definitely,” Mayfield said.
Mayfield, who said he has had independent tests done, would not say which prescription drug he is taking. He said he also took two tablets of Claritin-D.
“[The prescription] is not an illegal drug,” Mayfield said.
Mayfield said he did not have a paper copy of what drugs he had tested positive for in the May 1 test.
“If any of you guys were in my shoes, wouldn’t y’all want your results of what happened?” Mayfield said. “I’ve got nothing. I’ve got reinstatement papers. I’d like to see the results and I don’t have the results. … I have never gotten anything saying what it was.”
NASCAR stands by its process, according to a statement released by the sanctioning body late Saturday night.
"All NASCAR members who violate the policy, including Jeremy, are notified of the substance that caused the failure," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said in a statement. "Jeremy was verbally informed of the substance on three occasions last week by NASCAR's medical review officer. NASCAR stands by the reputable physicians and the nationally renowned lab that handles our substance abuse program."
Until he is reinstated, J.J. Yeley will drive Mayfield’s car and his wife, Shana, will be the team owner.
“I’d like to be back in the car this week, as soon as possible,” said Mayfield, who had qualified for six of the first 12 races in his first year owning his own car. “All I want to do is work with them. I’ll work with them any way they want. They can drug test me anytime they want. I’ve offered that. Every day, whatever they want to do. … [But] I’m not going to rehabilitation. Why would I? Would you go to rehab if you didn’t have a problem?”
He said he was called May 7 and told he had a positive drug test, and he thought he had no problem because he had a copy of his prescriptions. He said he then heard May 9 from NASCAR Sprint Cup Series John Darby.
When asked if he had legal representation, Mayfield said “what would y’all do?”
“I understand their test policy, and I understand what they’re trying to do,” Mayfield said. “I totally understand it. I just wish that I had a little bit of consideration to explain to everybody what my side was. I promise I will. … All I want to do is race.”
He said if it was a safety issue, he should not have been on the track for practice and qualifying May 8 at Darlington.
“If it was a safety issue, I should not have run the race at Richmond [the day after the test] and I should not have been back in the car Thursday [at Darlington],” Mayfield said. “Why would they let me back in the car?”
Mayfield said his last discussion with NASCAR was two days ago.
“It’s so frustrating,” Mayfield said. “I’m labeled now. The damage is done. It’s huge. My family, my friends, everybody [that] knows me knows better. It’s just been a huge, huge deal.”
Prior to the race, a plane flew over the track with a banner that said “Free Mayfield.”
“I didn’t have any idea [about it],” Mayfield said. “I did hear about it.”
The 39-year-old Mayfield managed a smile.
“I’m doing as good as I can be,” Mayfield said. “There’s not a lot to say. As you can see, I’m alive, well and healthy. I’m fine. I came here to watch my car run. … Y’all are asking the right questions to the right sources and getting the same results.”
After Mayfield talked with reporters, NASCAR asked Mayfield to leave because being in the infield violated the rules of his suspension.
"No suspended driver or crew member is permitted in any area of the track where NASCAR business or responsibilities are conducted," Poston said.
"This includes, but [is] not limited to the garage, spotters stand, pit road, driver/owner lot, and hospitality areas.
"There seems to have been a misunderstanding on Jeremy's part. NASCAR officials spoke with him and he understands the rules of suspension and agreed to comply."
