Jeremy Mayfield blames mix of prescription, over-the-counter meds for failed drug test
Sprint Cup Series owner/driver Jeremy Mayfield has been suspended by NASCAR for violating its drug policy.
// David Griffin, NASCAR Scene
DARLINGTON, S.C. – Sprint Cup Series owner/driver Jeremy Mayfield has been suspended by NASCAR for violating its drug policy, along with two other crewmen from different teams, an official announced Saturday prior to the start of the Southern 500.
Mayfield, 39, failed to qualify for the race and was not scheduled to be at Darlington Raceway on Saturday but was on the track Friday.
Front Row Motorsports crewman Tony Martin and Ben Williams, a crew member for Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 16 Nationwide Series team, were also suspended.
Mayfield is the first driver suspended under NASCAR's revamped drug policy that went into effect this season.
“NASCAR has one of the toughest substance abuse policies in all of sports,” NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said. “…There’s just no place for substance abuse in our sport.”
In a statement provided by Mayfield's team manager, he stated that a combination of a prescribed medicine and an over-the-counter medicine reacted together and resulted in a positive drug test.
“As both a team owner and a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, I have immense respect for the enforcement policies NASCAR has in place," Mayfield said. "My doctor and I are working with both [NASCAR consultant] Dr. [David] Black to resolve this matter.”
Mayfield also said he will announce an interim owner and a temporary replacement driver as early as next week.
"Those roles will commence immediately beginning with next week’s Sprint Open and continuing through Charlotte and beyond," Mayfield said.
Hunter said he would not disclose what substances Mayfield and the crewmen were suspended for; he said the failed tests were not alcohol-related.
NASCAR tested the individuals in question last week at Richmond International Raceway under the random testing element of NASCAR’s drug policy and received the confirmation of the failed test at noon Saturday, Hunter said.
Mayfield cannot go through an appeal process, just a reinstatement process. NASCAR typically requires the completion of a drug rehabilitation program before reinstating the suspended person.
NASCAR's policy had been that it could test anywhere at anytime. The policy enacted beginning this year added random tests to each NASCAR race weekend.
Mayfield announced the formation of Mayfield Motorsports just before the start of the season and qualified for the season-opening Daytona 500, but has qualified for just five of the 10 races since then. Mayfield’s season-best finish was 18th at Daytona.
Hunter said Mayfield would be suspended as both a driver and an owner; his team would be permitted to be operated by someone else, but Mayfield would not be allowed to participate.
Mayfield has five victories in 433 Cup starts and 96 top-10 finishes overall. He has failed to qualify for six of the 11 races this year with his best finish at the season-opening Daytona 500.
Mayfield had a crew member, Paul Chodora, suspended by NASCAR after the opening week of the season.
“We as an organization appreciate NASCAR's drug testing policies and policing efforts as it makes the sport stronger overall,” Mayfield said after Chodora’s suspension. “If Paul doesn’t comply with NASCAR’s reinstatement process, then he will no longer be an employee of Mayfield Motorsports.”
