OUR FANHOUSE TOOLBAR INTEGRATES THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS INTO YOUR WEB BROWSER AND INSTALLS IN SECONDS.
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE TOOLBAR HERE.

Nascar and Racing

Mayfield Says He'll Return Next Week

Posted Jul 04, 2009 6:27PM By Holly Cain (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Daytona Int'l Speedway, Sprint Cup

Text SizeAAA
Jeremy MayfieldDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Embattled driver Jeremy Mayfield released a statement two hours before the start of Saturday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Daytona International Speedway, thanking fans who have stood behind him and promising to do everything possible to make next week's race in Chicago.

"Last Wednesday's ruling by Judge Mullen was a giant step towards clearing my name and getting the 41 Car back on the track,'' Mayfield said. "For those who know me well, there is nothing in the world that I would rather do than race for you all on the Fourth of July.

"Following Judge Mullen's ruling, we had less than 24 hours to prepare the car, assemble a team, get sponsorship and travel to Daytona. Ultimately, we were unable to get this done in time ... We've decided that our time is best spent back here in North Carolina working around the clock to try and secure the funding needed to get the 41 Car to Chicago and beyond.''

Mayfield, who was suspended indefinitely from NASCAR on May 9 after failing a drug test, had that suspension lifted by a federal judge Wednesday allowing him to compete while litigation pends with Mayfield and NASCAR. Mayfield had argued he needed the emergency injunction permitting him to race because that is his livelihood and many expected that meant he intended to try to qualify for Saturday's race here.

Mayfield has insisted he did not use methamphetamine as the drug test indicates. However, many of his fellow competitors say they worry about the message this judge's ruling sends. NASCAR Chairman Brian France said Friday that the sanctioning body may appeal the judge's ruling.

"To say that the last two months have been two of the worst months of my entire life is an understatement,'' Mayfield said. "The only event I can think of that brought me even greater pain was the loss of my father in 2007.

Mayfield continued, "We've been watching on television and reading online about the 'Storm Clouds Over Daytona' and the 'Mayfield Media Circus'. Honestly, this is the last thing Shana or I want for anybody.

"This weekend shouldn't be about a questionable drug test or a flawed drug testing system. It should be about celebrating our country; the greatest country in the world. So, enjoy the weekend with your friends and family, and have a very Happy Independence Day. We look forward to seeing you all at the track very soon.

"Thanks again for keeping us in your hearts and prayers."

Latest NASCAR Images

    Jim Burrows serves up his homemade chili to fellow race fans in the infield prior to the start of the NASCAR Coke Zero 400 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, July 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

    AP

    NBA basketball player Vince Carter answers questions at a news conference at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, July 4, 2009. Carter, of Daytona Beach, will drive the pace car for the Coke Zero 400 auto race. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

    AP

    NBA basketball player Vince Carter answers questions at a news conference at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, July 4, 2009. Carter, of Daytona Beach, will drive the pace car for the Coke Zero 400 auto race. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

    AP

    Race fans gather on top of makeshift platform on a truck bed waiting for the start of the NASCAR Coke Zero 400 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, July 4, 2009.(AP Photo/Reinhold Maytay)

    AP

    Brent Hawkins jokes with other race fans in the speedway infield prior to the start of the NASCAR Coke Zero 400 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, July 4, 2009.(AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

    AP

    Max Angelelli (10), of Monaco, takes the checkered flag in a Ford Dallara to win Brumos Porsche 250 auto race ahead of second-place finisher Alex Gurney (99) in the Pontiac/Riley at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, July 4, 2009. (AP Photo/David Graham)

    AP

    DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 04: Max Angelelli (L) and Brian Frisselle (R), drivers of the #10 SunTrust Ford Dallara, celebrate winning the Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series Brumos Porsche 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 4, 2009 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Max Angelelli;Brian Frisselle

    Getty Images for NASCAR

    Race fans, from left to right, Rob and Katie Conklin, Brent Polick, Don and DeeDee Gibson and Cheryl Keese, all of Jacksonville, Fla., cool off in a pool before the start of the NASCAR Coke Zero 400 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, July 4, 2009.(AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

    AP

    Steve Burke, a Matt Kenseth fan and fellow Wisconsin native, wears a cheeshead hat while watching a sports car race prior to the NASCAR Coke Zero 400 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, July 4, 2009.(AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

    AP

    DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 04: Kyle Busch, driver of the #02 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felx Sabates Waste Management, races during the Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series Brumos Porsche 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 4, 2009 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Kyle Busch

    Getty Images for NASCAR

Tags: Jefemy+Mayfield

Related Articles

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)