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SPORTS

NASCAR taking Mayfield to court

Saturday, June 6, 2009
(Updated 6:34 am)

LONG POND, Pa. -- NASCAR accused suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield of willfully violating its substance abuse policy in a court filing Friday and argued his failed drug test shouldn't be overturned.

In federal court papers, NASCAR accused Mayfield of breaching his contract and of defrauding NASCAR and its competitors of earnings.

"He competed in a number of races that, had we known that he'd been on the medication he was on, and certainly known there was in illegal substance involved, we wouldn't have allowed him to compete," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said at Pocono Raceway. "In effect, he took money away from other potential competitors that could have gained those earnings."

Mayfield was suspended May 9 for failing a random drug test conducted eight days earlier at Richmond International Raceway. His suspension applies to both his role as driver and owner of the No. 41 Toyota for Mayfield Motorsports.

A message left with Mayfield attorney Bill Diehl was not immediately returned.

NASCAR had moved Mayfield's challenge of his indefinite suspension to federal court earlier this week, keeping the driver out of his car for another week.

On Friday, NASCAR's counterclaim said Mayfield's willful misconduct at the racetrack -- by competing while an illegal substance was still in his system -- is evidence that he presented a danger to himself and others.

Poston said no hearing date has been set.

NASCAR claims that more than $150,000 in prize money was improperly awarded to Mayfield and said that he was in three accidents in the five Cup races he competed in this season while the drugs were in his system.

Mayfield won the prize money for two races in which he has admitted using drugs, and one where he tested positive for an illegal drug, NASCAR said.

NASCAR claimed it has suffered harm to its reputation and financial interests. It wants all the prize money returned, punitive damages and attorney's fees.

Mayfield's attorneys said last week in court that the driver tested positive for amphetamines, which they attributed to the use of Adderall for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Claritin-D for allergies.

But NASCAR attorney Paul Hendrick said in court that three drugs were found in Mayfield's system, and the Adderall and Claritin-D were accounted for in the results. He described the third as a "dangerous, illegal, banned" substance, but did not name it.

David Black, the administrator of NASCAR's drug-testing program, has repeatedly rejected Mayfield's explanation.

"Dr. Black and his team will work with competitors on prescribed medicine," Poston said. "We do that quite often on a case-by-case basis. The policy is the misuse or abuse of any drug is a violation of the policy."

Accompanying Photos

CJ Driggers

Photo Caption: NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield (right) and wife Shana Mayfield.

NASCAR WEEKEND

SPRINT CUP
What: Pocono 500
Where: Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, Pa.
Time/TV: 2 p.m. Sunday/TNT

NATIONWIDE
What: Federated Auto Parts 300
Where: Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. today/ESPN2
Qualifying/TV: 3 p.m. today/ESPN2, joined in progress

Comments

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bettejayne

June 6, 2009 - 8:08 am EDT

We law abiding citizens drive 65/55/45/35/25, as is appropriate,with the posted speed. It is enough to see the ones amoung us driving with their attention deverted by a cell phone. Worst case is one of us drinks a little or even worst has used a drug. BUT at 120-200 mph with 42 other cars, as the announcer says "so close they could be covered by a blanket", illegal use of drugs should be a permanent suspension. The danger to himself, his fellow drivers, and to the paying public who trusts a wire fence between themselves and those 200+ mph cars, is too much to accept.

I don't care what the banned substance used is,whether it be Aspirn, Viagra, or any other BANNED or ilegal substance as defined by the Drug Act or NASCAR, should get the maxxium of punishment. Its NASCARS ball park and they set the rules, follow them or leave.

With all the noise coming form Mayfield and his paid mouth piece, the feeling is same as when someone ask a poliician about where has all the trillions of dollars gone so far, all u see and hear is, lots of mouthmovement but little said. Just a diversion to keep you away from the next giveway to parties unknown. Mayfield and his paid mouth piece has backed NASCAR in a corner and will have to fight the vengence of the snake in the open with winner take all. The winner of that battle could decide NASCARs fate

jsipe29

June 6, 2009 - 9:30 am EDT

NASCAR better be careful. Thier taking attention off of thier HERO Dale Jr. That would be tragic!

justaguy46

June 6, 2009 - 12:11 pm EDT

There will be a magic trick performed here, pate will turn into potted ham. Welcome to bluesville druggie.

euripedes923

June 6, 2009 - 2:09 pm EDT

Just what NASCAR needs, an AD/HD driver on illegal drugs. I take it he'll be running in the Special Education-sponsored short yellow bus car, sponsored by Adderall! Most NASCAR fans can already identify with him.

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