The saga of Jeremy Mayfield continued last week when a judge cleared the way for him to return to the track. And so it was that Friday night at Daytona International Speedway we in the media were searching for Mayfield after a reported sighting of him.
It turned out that Mayfield had decided to stay away from the track, choosing to instead issue a statement.
"We've been watching on television and reading online about the `Storm Clouds Over Daytona' and the `Mayfield Media Circus,'" the statement read in part. "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."
Mayfield was suspended from NASCAR May 9th after officials said he tested positive for methamphetamines. Mayfield insisted that the test was a false positive and fans began to rally around him, some to support their driver and others simply because they are of the notion that NASCAR is an evil entity and that everything they do is wrong.
Since he was suspended Mayfield has filed suit alleging that in fact NASCAR’s entire drug testing policy is flawed and that he was a victim. Among his charges are that he was not allowed to have one of the samples tested independently. For its part NASCAR has yet to respond to the latest ruling, but did say that a sample was made available to Mayfield.
Lost among all the court filings and prepared statements though there is one question that has to be asked:
What if Mayfield really is guilty?
We’ve all made mistakes in our lives, maybe drove home after a few too many beers or even committed a minor crime we got away with. And there have been times in our lives when we have denied any wrongdoing of such an act. Whether to friends our parents or co-workers, we have all denied responsibility for doing something wrong at least once. It’s an unfortunate part of our society. The prisons are full of people who proclaim their innocence despite evidence, sometimes overwhelming, to the contrary.
For the vast majority of us while we may have denied a wrong in the past, most often we will later admit our guilt or own up to the problem the next time around.
Under NASCAR’s current drug policy, and in fact the policies of most major sports, is a provision that allows an athlete to work towards reinstatement. In fact according to NASCAR chairman Brian France this past weekend, that’s the best outcome for everyone involved.
“The perfect outcome for us when someone has a positive test is that they follow the program, and they go for reinstatement as part of how the program outlines you to do such,” France said. “And that means rehabilitation; that means admission; that means taking the road back that is going to be best from a medical standpoint for an individual; that means getting someone some help, typically, depending on what substance we are talking about; and following the proven path that the positions and the experts in the field have seen that works, because we would like to have someone back.”
France added that not only will they give someone a chance to complete a program, they would give someone more then once chance if that’s what it took.
“We really want to see someone follow the road back,” France said. “Get healthy and come back and race with us.”
The only who one who knows for sure if he is guilty of taking a recreational drug or not is Mayfield himself. And it may be months before the entire scenario plays out in the courts. One thing is for certain however, if he is guilty the sooner he admits that the sooner he can complete a program and be cleared to race again.
Only when he’s cleared will the ‘Mayfield Media Circus’ he despises pack up its tents and leave.
BREAKING : NASCAR wants Mayfield’s suspension reinstated
Comments
I feel sure that he isn't an addict. I know that NASCAR did not set up drug tests as they should have.
I feel I have to say that Jeremy tested negative before Daytona. He was then diagnosed with ADHD. He then took the prescribed meds with Claritin,then he tested positive.Have to say that points in favor of Jeremy.
Gee, Greg, for something that's "lost" it sure seems like a large number of writers have been pointed to it by France...maybe it is simply being thrust at writers instead of the truth?
How many writers have examined the question of what if Mayfield is innocent in this false-doping scandal?
How many writers have examined what has happened to drivers that did "successfully" complete the rehab and get clearance by NASCAR to return to the track?
I have not seen any of the in-depth questions asked about Kevin Grubb's suicide as there were about wrestlers Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit.
Sounds like writers in your circle, get more out of death, suicide and mayhem than they do out of honest reporting.
I think that between nascar and some of you people,you's think that you have the verdict guilty,all signed sealed and ready to be delivered to Jeremy. All Jeremy wants to do is race,that is all. At Richmond,the weather there,gave Jeremy very bad allergies.So,he took the Claritin D.Jeremy also took his medicine for his ADHD.Jeremy was trying to get his team raceable.All of a sudden they wanted to test him,so they did. Of course,there was the media there,and it became a full blown circus,ruining Jeremy's name.I think that nascar needed a 'poster boy' for their new drug policy,and Jeremy got branded a druggie from them. Nascar said there are no false positives,kept putting Jeremy down as a druggie. It didn't matter to them that their testing was flawed. I don't blame Jeremy for fighting this. Jeremy is innocent.We all should be backing Jeremy in this mess,not ruining his name.What does nascar see when they look in the mirror? Dollar bills.Let's back Jeremy, he's the innocent one in this.
I hope your next post asks the question: "What If Jeremy Is Innocent?". If you decide to only look at negatives, then I suggest an article titled "What If Junior Is Gay?". I'm sure an article like that will get you lots of hits. There have certainly been rumors of that for quite a while. You can then suggest that he just plead guilty, seek help and rehabilitation and return to life as it was before the allegations.
I also want to say this, there is not a person more dedicated to racing than Jeremy is. Sure he's had rough times,withstood,the doings of some unscrouplious people, being proud of his own team that he brought to Daytona this year.Yes, Jeremy has had good races, making the Chase 2 times,winning 5 times,lots of top 5,10's,winning 10 poles.Jeremy is friendly with his, and other drivers fans.Jeremy loves Shana, family, all his animals,true fans, and loves to race.There is NO WAY that Jeremy would ruin all this with drugs.The hurt of this stigma, 'a druggie'is something that Jeremy will fight for, his name being cleared.Racing is very important to Jeremy.I know he's innocent,and wouldn't ever do what they accuse him of.There is no way drugs means more than getting in his 41 car and racing with his race friends for a victory.Write articles about Jeremy the racer, not this mess,for Jeremy is innocent. Let us see our driver racing.I love Jeremy's smile,and his dedication to racing.GoJeremy!!!
JM is done whether he's guilty or not. No sponsor is going to touch him after this. The question shouldn't be what if he's guilty, is should be what if he's innocent. If you're going to ruin a guys rep and end his career then you have to be absolutely sure that you're right before you do so. NASCAR says they were but I don't believe them. Not when Dr. Wadler from the World Anti Doping Agency says that their drug policy is even worse than major league baseball's. NASCAR should have given JM the chance to prove his innocence before dropped the hammer on him. JM volunteered a hair sample and NASCAR refused to test it. Why would they deny him a chance to prove his innocence like that? If the hair test comes back positive then case closed and then NASCAR could make this all public. If the test was negative then it would show that the first test was a false positive and then JM's rep and career would have been intact. NASCAR went public with this too soon and now JM is done guilty or not.
Why in the world would you write such an article. Hasn't the man suffered enough???
I gotta agree with Ken. Even if Jeremy is innocent, which he is until proven otherwise, his NASCAR career may be in trouble. I haven't seen any examples of "recovered" drivers having much success on the track. It's unfortunate that this happened to Jeremy and his family. For me, there is still this burning question, "Is there any outside, legit medical science that can test the two drugs together and see if they can come up with a positive?" That would answer all questions in this case. NASCAR has to maintain close contact with their drivers when it comes to substance abuse...the sport is dangerous enough sober. Just my thoughts....By the way Greg, how's that one "g" thing workin for ya?
A radio DJ(Bubba the love Sponge) decided to test the theory of the mixed drugs Adderall and Claritin D. He passed a drug test before he took the pills and then took a drug test after taking the pills. The drug test popped him for methamphetamines. So how could Nascar and Dr Black say it couldn't happen? Someone needs to test it in a lab
A few folks out in the barren wastelands of the Internet appear to have done a little more research into the drug testing program and NASCAR's drug abuse policy than the folks closer to the center of the media circus. False positves are a reality. Apparently the Federal judge handling this case had the foresight to know that. A little research in an actual library, on the internet, or with doctors who specialize in treating allergies and ADD/ADHD would provide some valuable information into Mayfield's claims. Some phone calls to some professional agencies who handle drug testing would've provided some info into what a sham NASCAR's testing program is, based on Mayfield's sworn statements and recent statements by drivers complaining about the recent changes in the program. Then we have the media circus following lockstep in pronouncing Mayfield guilty. Rule of law says that a man is innocent until proven guilty and a guilty man doesn't fight tooth and nail like Mayfield has.
I hear that Claritin will be his primary sponsor for Pocono. He is getting his helmet retrofitted to hook up to a bong instead of a cool-pack, and won't have it done in time to make this week's race. Go Jeremy!
The bottom line is: If you're taking Adderal, & add Claritan D to the mix, you are too impaired to drive a race car at 200 miles per hr., even if he is innocent of taking meth. The jury is still out on that matter.
NASCAR has the responsibility to do it's best to determine if a driver has impaired abilities. Routine drug testing is needed, and if the preliminary test comes back positive, then they need to handle the situation apppropriately. Unfortunately, their existing testing progarm is a flawed mess.
They need to handle ALL samples in an appropriate manner. Their procedures should include more reliable urine tests, and they should offer the use of more reliable blood tests and hair sample tests. Second urine smaples, and all more advanced tests should be completed in laboratories that are independent of the first laboratory and should include the individual the option of testing by an independent lab or the individual's choice. Lastly, ALL medical review of the results should be conducted by professionals that are independent of the labs and available to the individuals optional professional of choice.
NASCAR has done none of this, and thus has a worthless program. Go for it Jeremy
I have read the NASCAR drug testing policy, which I am convinced some in the media have not done, and it makes sense to me. It is not at all clear to me how anyone can determine that the testing was faulty based on the limited information so far made public, and without cross-examination of the experts on both sides. The majority of the mainstream media accounts I have seen have dismissed NASCAR's program as faulty, but without giving any meaningful basis for such. I have only seen 1 article, by David Newton of ESPN, which made any comparison of NASCAR's program to that of another sport - that was that both NASCAR and the NFL have both the A and B samples tested in the same lab. Until someone in the media does a comparison of the NASCAR program to that of another major racing series or another major sport, I must assume that the NASCAR program must stack up pretty well or the media would demonstrate its faults by such a comparison.
A little research shows that even in the very best of labs, there is a 4% rate of false positives. That means 4 out of every 100 tests are WRONG!! Yet, Nascar and Dr. Black insist there is no posibility of error on their part. Really? I thought only God was infallible. I have to agree with Jim R. Where is the flip article... What if Mayfield is Innocent? After reading Jack Flowers book "Under the Asphalt," it's easy to understand how the "gods" of NASCAR think they can ruin a man's life without so much as a backward glance. They've done it before. Unless someone makes them play "in the real world" instead of NASCAR's world, the abuse will continue.
A little research on ADD/ADHD will also go a long way to easing anyone's fears of racing with someone who takes Adderall. Do some research before you join the "sanctioning body's" witch hunt.
3JH
Kate, you've set up a false argument. You cite stats that claim four percent of tests produce false positives.
To that I say so?
Show me stats where that same four percent also return a false positive and I might give more stock in the stat.
Labs have known for decades some drugs produce false positives the second and confirming test is given using different parameters and techniques to weed out the false positives.
Kate you suggest people do research, specifically on Adderall. I suggest you do a bit of that yourself, in fact I'll point you in the correct direction.
Do a Google search for "stock car science blog," the second entry (dated 06/10/09) will take you to facts, not conjecture on why Adderall both returns a false positive for Meth but.... and this is the key point, why that false positive is in reality not false at all.
I also suggest you visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website. NASCAR is NOT required to follow the
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!