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CONCORD — NASCAR chairman Brian France called Jeremy Mayfield's positive drug test "a serious violation" of the sport's toughened new drug policy.

France said Friday he considers performance-enhancers and recreational drugs to be serious violations. But a person familiar with Mayfield's test results said that Mayfield did not test positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

That means Mayfield tested positive for a narcotic or a controlled substance, such as cocaine, marijuana or methamphetamine.

France would not reveal what Mayfield was caught using, despite a call from several drivers to disclose the drug.

"We had a serious violation of our test, our substance-abuse policy, which gets you an automatic and indefinite suspension and that is where we stand with Jeremy," France said. "We've said it's serious."

Mayfield failed a random drug test conducted May 1 at Richmond International Raceway. He was notified of his test result May 5, which he attributed to a combination of a prescription drug and an over-the-counter medication. NASCAR's drug-testing program administrator has rejected that explanation.

Mayfield then asked for his backup "B'' sample to be tested, and it came back positive last Saturday. NASCAR immediately suspended him as a driver and team owner of Mayfield Motorsports.

But Mayfield's explanation has left many drivers confused and admittedly scared to take any medications for fear of failing a drug test.

France tried to reassure the drivers, explaining proper use of over-the-counter medication and prescriptions won't lead to NASCAR punishment.

"If you should test positive for over-the-counter medications or a prescribed medication that you are on with your doctor, that doesn't result in NASCAR suspending you," France said. "You will ... be asked to explain why you have a certain substance that was identified in a test. That's happened a lot, and it doesn't get you a suspension."