It started with The Look.Two weeks ago, while covering the NASCAR races at Daytona International Speedway I walked around the garage asking Sprint Cup Series drivers, team owners, crew members, former drivers if perhaps Jeremy Mayfield deserved any "benefit of the doubt."
One by one they shot me The Look: raised eyebrows, incredulous expression.
"What doubt?" they asked.
Only a couple days earlier, a U.S. court had reinstated Mayfield's NASCAR eligibility despite the fact he tested positive for methamphetamine, despite sworn statements from fellow competitors that they were concerned for their safety should Mayfield return to the track.
And now this week, the 39-year old driver has tested positive again for methamphetamine and again issued strong denials he has ever used the drug.
This is where my eternal optimism clashes with facts and science. Where my hope this sordid affair would resolve itself is at odds with the probability it is only going to get messier.
Allegations from Mayfield's estranged step-mother this week that she's seen him snort meth on numerous occasions and his expletive-filled denials are turning this into exactly the kind of Jerry Springer special that NASCAR has so successfully worked to veer its image away from.
And worst of all, it's taken away from one of the better seasons of NASCAR racing: a 50-year old owning the win column, a gritty owner-driver leading the championship, a three-time champion positioning himself for a historic fourth straight. Richard Petty in victory circle.
Beyond the inference and opinions, here's what we know:
Mayfield's positive test won't be explained away like a cocaine-kiss from a stranger in a dark nightclub (see tennis player Richard Gasquet).
According to court documents filed by NASCAR, the large levels of the drug in Mayfield's specimens have been consistent with a "chronic methamphetamine" user.
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 15: ***EXCLUSIVE*** NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon and actress Olivia Wilde backstage during the 2009 ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre LA Live on July 15, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The 17th annual ESPYs will air on Sunday, July 19 at 9PM ET on ESPN. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for ESPY) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Gordon;Olivia Wilde
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 15: ***EXCLUSIVE*** (L-R) Ingrid Vandebosch, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon and host Samuel L. Jackson backstage during the 2009 ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre LA Live on July 15, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The 17th annual ESPYs will air on Sunday, July 19 at 9PM ET on ESPN. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for ESPY) *** Local Caption *** Ingrid Vandebosch;Jeff Gordon;Samuel L. Jackson
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NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon and actress Olivia Wilde present an award onstage during the 17th annual ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre LA Live on July 15, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The 17th annual ESPYs will air on Sunday, July 19 at 9PM ET on ESPN. 17th Annual ESPY Awards - Show Nokia Theatre LA Live Los Angeles, California United States July 15, 2009 Photo by Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com To license this image (57910003), contact WireImage.com
Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com
NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon and actress Olivia Wilde present an award onstage during the 17th annual ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre LA Live on July 15, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The 17th annual ESPYs will air on Sunday, July 19 at 9PM ET on ESPN. 17th Annual ESPY Awards - Show Nokia Theatre LA Live Los Angeles, California United States July 15, 2009 Photo by Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com To license this image (57910000), contact WireImage.com
Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 15: NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon (L) and actress Olivia Wilde walk onstage during the 2009 ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre LA Live on July 15, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The 17th annual ESPYs will air on Sunday, July 19 at 9PM ET on ESPN. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Gordon;Olivia Wilde
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 15: NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon (L) and actress Olivia Wilde speak onstage during the 2009 ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre LA Live on July 15, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The 17th annual ESPYs will air on Sunday, July 19 at 9PM ET on ESPN. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Gordon;Olivia Wilde
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 15: NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon (L) and actress Olivia Wilde speak onstage during the 2009 ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre LA Live on July 15, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The 17th annual ESPYs will air on Sunday, July 19 at 9PM ET on ESPN. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Gordon;Olivia Wilde
Getty Images
NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon and actress Olivia Wilde present the Best Moment award at the taping of the 2009 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles July 15, 2009. The awards show will be telecast on ESPN July 19. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT SPORT)
Reuters
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 15: (L-R) NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon and actress Olivia Wilde present swimmer Michael Phelps the Best Moment award for US Wins Olympic Swimming Relay onstage during the 2009 ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre LA Live on July 15, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The 17th annual ESPYs will air on Sunday, July 19 at 9PM ET on ESPN. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Gordon;Olivia Wilde;Michael Phelps
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 15: NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon (L) and actress Olivia Wilde speak onstage during the 2009 ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre LA Live on July 15, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The 17th annual ESPYs will air on Sunday, July 19 at 9PM ET on ESPN. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Gordon;Olivia Wilde
Getty Images
While Mayfield and his attorneys have statements from experts at the World Anti-Doping Agency and U.S. Anti-Doping Agency questioning aspects of NASCAR's newly-revamped Substance Abuse Policy, the procedures used by NASCAR's lab, Aegis Sciences Corporation, are consistent with those used by both of those agencies and the NFL, NHL and Major League Baseball.
While the samples tested by NASCAR have come up positive now three times (his original A and B sample back in May plus one more this week) Mayfield told Sirius Radio late Wednesday night that he's voluntarily given another 15 samples in the past few weeks that have come up clean in independent testing - although no proof of that has been offered yet.
With no driver union to offer counsel, Mayfield is on his own to fight the NASCAR aristocracy. And his defense has raised legitimate questions.
However, NASCAR filed a motion this week asking the U.S. District Court to reinstate Mayfield's suspension, noting that part of the reason Mayfield asked for immediate reinstatement was that racing was his livelihood. Yet, he hasn't tried to compete at either of the two races since having the ban lifted.
This week, the lone remaining member of the race team he owned resigned.
It became clear as I spoke with my longtime contacts in the garage at Daytona - people that have worked closely with Mayfield in the past - that they seem less surprised by all of this than I have been. Mayfield has always been professional, friendly and engaging whenever I've dealt with him during the past 15 years - an unlikely pick for this fate.
But I keep going back again to something NASCAR Chairman Brian France told reporters in Daytona Beach.
What motive does NASCAR have to single out a driver and destroy his career? It doesn't help the sport's image to wildly accuse a driver in its premier series of using hard drugs.
Why would NASCAR want to ruin Jeremy Mayfield's life, as he feels it has done?
If the science holds up here, maybe it's not that NASCAR has ruined Mayfield's life, but instead saved it.















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
7-17-2009 @ 6:49PM
gregsachiko said...
This is like beating a dead horse. Do any one of you writers ever write about something POSITIVE for this sport???
I for one , get tired of hearing negative crap everyday. The same writers must be getting bored, or is it that they csannot find anything worth writing about?
Let the courts deal with it! Let's move on to better POSITIVE things.
Greg-san
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7-17-2009 @ 11:07PM
nzcr14 said...
AT THE CONTRARY HOLLY MCCAIN, THERE ARE MANY READERS VERY INTERESTED IN THE J METHFIELD NAZCAR STORY, and your file i very much appreciate it.
WHAT MORE POSITIVE STORY COULD BE than NAZCAR and the MEDIA and now the drivers too as you said; quote;
WHAT DOUBT and all raised their EYEBROWS with the GIMMEABREAK EXPRESSION as to confirm the J METHFIELD IS A is a USER!!!.And now the POSITIVE METH TESTS ADD TO 3.
I guess all 3 are mistakes i ask to all the J METHS ATTORNEYS on these pages???.
THERE IS NO MORE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, THERE IS NO SAKE FOR DOUBT AND FROM NOW ON I DO NOT CARE WHAT THE COURTS COME UP WITH. WE SAW BEFORE LAWYERS BEAT THE COURT AND THE SYISTEM!
THE METHHEAD SAYS he is taking drugs tests from independent laboratory???? YEAH RIGHT WHERE ARE THEY?? WHERE ARE THE RESULTS???
And even if the NEGATIVE RESULTS DO SHOW UP; NAZCAR
AND IT'S DOCTORS CAN BE DIRTY by falsefying reports?
(according to the METHF FANS ATTORNEYS).
WEL, J METHFIELD AND WHOEVER AGENT IS SPONSORING HIS BOOK AND TO COME WHATEVER ELSE CAN BE DIRTY TOO
AND PAYOFF THE LABS WITH FAT CHECKS; AND SO CAN j methfield lawyers.
THIS STORY IS NOT BORING, NOT IS THE RESULTS OF BORED REPORTERS. this story is much more interesting than talk about the same garbage every week like JG DID THIS, JG DID THAT. DEJ IS FINISHED. DEJ IS NOT FINISHED. TS IS BEATING THEM ALL or TS IS NOT BEATING THEM ALL.
THIS STORY IS ABOUT GETTING A PUBLIC DANGER A DRIVER
DANGER FOR HIMSELF AND TO ANY OTHER DRIVER THE HELL OFF THE SPEEDWAYS AND STOP ENDANGERING WHOEVER FOLLOWS NAZCAR AND WHOEVER RUNS IN ALONG WITH A METHHEAD.
this story IS ABOUT brian hitler france NOT TO DESTROY A SINGLE DRIVER CARREER,BUT TO SAVE THE LIFE OF OTHER DRIVERS AND THE FANS THAT SIT IN THE FIRST ROWS AT THE TRACKS.THIS STORY IS ALSO ABOUT SAVING J METHFIELD LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SO PLEASE KEEP REPORTING ABOUT AND THAT HELL WITH THE BORING "SUBJECT MATTERS" POSTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
2 MORE ROUNDS AGAINST METHFIELD TO WHOEVER WANTS TO KEEP ON DEFENDING A WEAKED LIER IN SEARCH OF PUBLICITY AND $$$$ EXTORSION.Very common stand too
among FRYED BRAINS, in general.
Reply
7-20-2009 @ 3:03PM
robotperson said...
WOW....Dude,
I'm truly dumbfounded by your grammatical skills and your uncanny ability to articulate your thoughts. After reading your (lengthy) post I was left feeling only one thing "YOUR AN IDIOT".
7-20-2009 @ 4:24PM
nzcr14 said...
HEY ROBOCOP #4,
NOBODY TOLD YOU TO READ MY POST MORON.Feel free NOT TO READ.I see your post and it's long time estsblished FACT; THE SHORTER THE POST, THE DUMBER THE WRITER. Hasta la vista ombre!.
7-20-2009 @ 4:25PM
nzcr14 said...
oops robocop is # 3.
7-20-2009 @ 4:52PM
robotperson said...
Thank you again, for your brilliance. Do us all a huge favor, take your own advice and stick to 1 line posts (or maybe less)
7-17-2009 @ 11:46PM
toothflower said...
I don't see why we're indulging in all this debate over a positive urine screen. Urine tests are just a SCREENING technique. Take a hair sample and test that! Then we'll know exactly what he's been using. I guess NASCAR won't allow that since it would negate their bogus urine drug screening process.
Reply
7-18-2009 @ 5:21AM
pnut166 said...
Rather than question Nascar allowing it - why hasn`t Methf, I mean Mayfield gone and gotten a blood or hair test himself???? The whole incident around the recent test was very telling: Gets the call, comes up with some lame-ass excuses for never showing up. A seven hour delay - I can guarantee you he thought pushing up the # of hours since using and chugging water the whole time would get him clear.
7-19-2009 @ 11:57PM
Kris said...
hair tests aren't foolproof but they are better then pee tests. All are flawed however. So many things cause false positives on all tests. Any drug user knows how to get around them so most people who test positive are people who don't do drugs but know what to tell the tester what they use. Things like Ibuprofen or kidney disease show up at pot. Nyquil, Contact, Sudafed, Allerest, Tavist-D, Dimetapp show up as meth. And do we even need to talk about those poppy seed muffins?
7-20-2009 @ 5:26PM
nzcr14 said...
THAT MEANS;
I would be as DUMB and as CLUELESS as YOU ROBOCOP#3.
NO THANKS.
7-18-2009 @ 12:27AM
Bobcat said...
toothflower, I totally agree with you!------ Nascar, the justice system and everybody involved needs to follow your suggestion. You can't manipulate the root of the hair. Just make sure they use the root and not just the shaft being the shaft can have chemicals applied to it. The entire root and shaft should be checked to see if there is any discrepancies in the entire hair shaft and root. Then Jeremy should tell the lab EVERTHING he has eaten or taken during this time period covering as far forward and back as he can remember. They can then check and see if any of these mixtures could cause a false positive. If it is proven that Jeremy was wrong, he should be required to pay for ALL testing that was done and never be allowed in nascar again. If he proves he was right. Nascar should be required to pay all costs incurred, a wage that would be an amount totaled from all races missed from the 21 position. He should also receive enough points to put him in 30th position. Nascar should sponsor him for the next 2 seasons. Jeremy should also be required to do multiple lie detector tests. If nascar is so positive they should be willing to do this. If Jeremy is so positive he should be willing to do this.
Reply
7-18-2009 @ 12:36AM
Tracy G Smith said...
Well two positive tests CAN be Worng.... But it's not likely... so at this time he sould take a hair sample and test that to relly see if and how long he been doing METH... Then WE All Can Call Him A METHHEAD!
Drugs And NASCAR DO NOT MIX!
Reply
7-18-2009 @ 1:10AM
nzcr14 said...
3 POSITIVE METH TESTS TRACY NOT 2. please read the file again. ARE ALL 3 TESTS WRONG???
NOPE for me. THE DUDE IS A METHEAD, A LIER, AND A CONIVING EXTORSIONIST PARASSITE!!!!.
OH and than do read again the reply of all drivers and crew members in the garage when asked if there was any doubt about JM using drugs.
7-18-2009 @ 12:57AM
nzcr14 said...
OOPS, MORE BAD NEWS FOR NAZCAR ASIDE methfield.
GM JUST PULLED OUT OF IT'S SPONSORSHIP AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY and last week they said they were cutting down on teams sponsorships.
METHFIELD LATEST ADDITION;
JM once sewed his car owner for SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME WITH A WOMAN DRIVER. Words from his last employee a cop from NC.
What A LICE, WHAT AN EXTORSION???? and he is trying to do the same to nazcar,but according to his BS FAIRY TALES, it's the stepmother being the extortor.
YEAH RIGHT THE LICES AND VERMONS ARE MUCH MORE COMMON IN THE METHHEADS POPULATIONS THAN THE POOR INEDUCATED ONE.The poor just got to live. THE MEATHEAD OR ANY DRUG FRYED HAS TO LIVE AND ALSO PAY FOR THE EXPENCIVE HABIT!.
Reply
7-18-2009 @ 5:24AM
pnut166 said...
LOL! WTF are you trying to say, dude???
7-18-2009 @ 6:36AM
obamaizamarxist said...
I blame his wife. Do you love the man or his money and fame? Quit enabling the boy. I can see from 600 miles he's strung out on something, get his dusty scarecrow ass some help..
Reply
7-18-2009 @ 9:28AM
jntfj80 said...
I wish they would quit calling him a driver. He has never been any sort of driver, I call him and many on the track, fillers. Non-competitive cars placed for obstacles to avoid while racing. I do not honestly think NASCAR would not be sure about this matter.
Reply
7-18-2009 @ 9:54AM
Kim said...
Well, this story keeps getting more and more upsetting. I am still not going to "convict" Mayfield until the entire story is true. These new statements however bring up many questions.
First: If he truly is a meth user, then who in their right mind would continue to take it while fighting a court case to reinstate himself? That doesn't make sence. Something's not right here.
Second: The step-mother. If she cared so much, why is she just now speaking out? If she was really that close to him and she's known he's been using for 15 years, why didn't she call someone and speak out after she supposdely witnessed him taking meth just before a race? Something fishy there.
Third: If Mayfield has had private tests done that show he is clean, then why isn't he releasing them to the public? If it were me, I'd be waving those results around to anyone who wanted to see them. This is also puzzling.
Fourth: I question that fellow drivers were really all that concerned. As with the step-mother, if they had knowledge or suspected drug use, then why not speak out before now? Also fishy.
I am still not making a decision either way until ALL the facts are out. We as laymen are only getting bits and pieces.
Kim
Reply
7-24-2009 @ 9:29PM
Brad said...
Most excellent comment Kim,,
IMO Jeremy is holding onto several independent tests for the future court battle, it's all ready been established that he has taken more than a few tests on his own and at more than one facility.
Aloha, Brad
7-18-2009 @ 11:53AM
Judge said...
Mayfield is lying. Why? I listened to an interview he gave while sitting in his car and half the questions asked of him were answered with questions to the guy doing the interview. A ploy used by liars, which is answer a question WITH a question. Hes toast
steve
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