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DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Jeremy Mayfield became the first Sprint Cup driver to be suspended for violating NASCAR's toughened substance-abuse policy when series officials announced his penalty Saturday.

Mayfield is suspended indefinitely as a driver and a car owner and cannot appeal the ban. His team can continue to compete, but must list a new owner on official entries. Mayfield's reinstatement will be based on his willingness to follow a prescribed rehabilitation program.

He said in a statement Saturday night that his positive test was the result of a combination of legal medicines.

"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. "In my case, I believe that the combination of a prescribed medicine and an over-the-counter medicine reacted together and resulted in a positive drug test."

Mayfield said that he and his doctor were working with Dr. David Black, CEO of Aegis Sciences Corp. in Nashville, Tenn., who also runs NASCAR's testing program and series officials.

NASCAR officials would not reveal what substance triggered Mayfield's positive test. NASCAR's updated policy, revealed in September, includes random drug testing and prohibits the misuse or abuse of any drug.

Mayfield was tested last week at Richmond. After his first sample tested positive, he was informed and requested the second sample be tested. NASCAR received the final results at noon Saturday. Mayfield's car was one of two that failed to qualify for Saturday night's Southern 500.

Jim Hunter, NASCAR spokesman, said series officials randomly test eight to 15 people in the Cup garage each race weekend. He also said that many are tested at Nationwide and Truck series races.

"We have zero tolerance," Hunter said about NASCAR's substance-abuse policy. "We made it very clear."

Mayfield also said his team will continue without him as driver while he is suspended.

"Mayfield Motorsports remains committed to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and the organization will announce an interim owner and a temporary replacement driver early next week,'' he said in his statement. "Those roles will commence immediately beginning with next week's Sprint Open and continuing through Charlotte and beyond.''

NASCAR also announced Saturday that Tony Martin, a crew member for Front Row Motorsports' Cup team, and Ben Williams, a crew member with the Roush Fenway Racing Nationwide team, were suspended indefinitely for violating the substance-abuse policy.

NEW ADDITION? Car owner Roger Penske is exploring the possibility of buying Saturn from General Motors.

Penske heads the Penske Automotive Group, which operates more than 300 dealerships, selling 40 brands.

"Saturn is obviously one of the divisions which General Motors is either going to sell or close down," Penske said during a news conference last week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "At this particular time, we have made no offer to GM. We're in a due-diligence stage. It's a very short time frame. ... I think the publicity is way ahead of the process."

IN THE RACE: Although he didn't qualify, Scott Speed started the Southern 500.

Speed took the seat of Joe Nemechek, who got some of his cars from Red Bull, Speed's team. Thus, Speed was able to drive at least an older version of the Red Bull car Saturday night.

Contact Dustin Long at 373-7062 or dustin.long @news-record.com