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If Mayfield was racing on meth, his career is over
Methamphetamine.
According to sources who spoke to ESPN this week, that's the answer to the question everyone has had for NASCAR since Jeremy Mayfield's suspension in May. They claim that last month at Richmond, Jeremy Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamine, more commonly known as crystal meth.
Anyone who has seen people who habitually use this drug know it can ruin lives and make people wither away. No one has suggested that Mayfield is using the drug on this level, but there is talk the drug could have been used as a performance enhancer, so Mayfield could be more focused while out on the track. Most importantly, anyone using a drug as strong as meth should not be behind the wheel of any car, especially one going 200 mph.
This is the first time talk of this kind of drug use has been around NASCAR since ex-Truck series driver Aaron Fike admitted to racing while under the influence of heroin a couple years ago.
Though he has not commented since the name of the drug was leaked, Mayfield has long insisted that the test is a false positive, caused by a combination of Claritin D (which contains pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in methamphetamine) and the prescription drug Adderall (which contains amphetamine), the two drugs he says he took just before taking the drug test. Experts on drug screening have said there is a chance that the combination of these drugs could create a false positive.
If Mayfield wants to clear his name, he must prove the failed test was the result of a false positive. Otherwise, he has no future in NASCAR racing. History has shown that drivers who thumb their nose at NASCAR's drug policies (example: Shane Hmiel) and fail to seek treatment will no longer be racing.
In addition to the guys in charge, Mayfield will have lost the respect of all his competitors if it's accepted around the garage that he is a drug user. These guys put their lives in the hands of 42 other drivers each weekend, and they will not want to race with someone who is known in that light.
While I don't think NASCAR is cooking up charges against people, I have to give Mayfield a chance here, because it's very possible he is telling the truth and the drug combination caused a false positive. It's important that we don't convict him until this battle has completely run its course and the result is absolutely confirmed.
Maybe I'm just being too logical, but it seems to me that if Mayfield really was using an illegal substance prior to racing, it doesn't make sense that he would be so defiant and pursue this extremely risky public attack on NASCAR's credibility.
On the other hand, it could be true. Mayfield may have been using some form of methamphetamine either recreationally or as a performance enhancer. If that is true, I have no problem with Mayfield being banned for the rest of the season and being forced to meet NASCAR's drug program requirements in order to return.
But based on the ugliness of the lawsuits between Mayfield and NASCAR so far, I have a feeling those requirements might be a bit harsher than they have been in the past. It's clear now they don't like the guy, and don't want him racing anymore -- ever.
And if it comes out in the end that this test was not a false positive, and Mayfield did use a dangerous illegal drug prior to racing, they may get their wish.
https://twitter.com/MattMyftiu
According to sources who spoke to ESPN this week, that's the answer to the question everyone has had for NASCAR since Jeremy Mayfield's suspension in May. They claim that last month at Richmond, Jeremy Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamine, more commonly known as crystal meth.
Anyone who has seen people who habitually use this drug know it can ruin lives and make people wither away. No one has suggested that Mayfield is using the drug on this level, but there is talk the drug could have been used as a performance enhancer, so Mayfield could be more focused while out on the track. Most importantly, anyone using a drug as strong as meth should not be behind the wheel of any car, especially one going 200 mph.
This is the first time talk of this kind of drug use has been around NASCAR since ex-Truck series driver Aaron Fike admitted to racing while under the influence of heroin a couple years ago.
Though he has not commented since the name of the drug was leaked, Mayfield has long insisted that the test is a false positive, caused by a combination of Claritin D (which contains pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in methamphetamine) and the prescription drug Adderall (which contains amphetamine), the two drugs he says he took just before taking the drug test. Experts on drug screening have said there is a chance that the combination of these drugs could create a false positive.
If Mayfield wants to clear his name, he must prove the failed test was the result of a false positive. Otherwise, he has no future in NASCAR racing. History has shown that drivers who thumb their nose at NASCAR's drug policies (example: Shane Hmiel) and fail to seek treatment will no longer be racing.
In addition to the guys in charge, Mayfield will have lost the respect of all his competitors if it's accepted around the garage that he is a drug user. These guys put their lives in the hands of 42 other drivers each weekend, and they will not want to race with someone who is known in that light.
While I don't think NASCAR is cooking up charges against people, I have to give Mayfield a chance here, because it's very possible he is telling the truth and the drug combination caused a false positive. It's important that we don't convict him until this battle has completely run its course and the result is absolutely confirmed.
Maybe I'm just being too logical, but it seems to me that if Mayfield really was using an illegal substance prior to racing, it doesn't make sense that he would be so defiant and pursue this extremely risky public attack on NASCAR's credibility.
On the other hand, it could be true. Mayfield may have been using some form of methamphetamine either recreationally or as a performance enhancer. If that is true, I have no problem with Mayfield being banned for the rest of the season and being forced to meet NASCAR's drug program requirements in order to return.
But based on the ugliness of the lawsuits between Mayfield and NASCAR so far, I have a feeling those requirements might be a bit harsher than they have been in the past. It's clear now they don't like the guy, and don't want him racing anymore -- ever.
And if it comes out in the end that this test was not a false positive, and Mayfield did use a dangerous illegal drug prior to racing, they may get their wish.
https://twitter.com/MattMyftiu
posted by Matt Myftiu at
12:51 AM
6 Comments:
Doesn't matter what happens now, Mayfield is done in NASCAR. With all the drivers out of work and the difficulty in securing sponsorship, why would a potential sponsor even take the chance.
Corporate America hates negative controversy or publicity.
It's not like Mayfield's performance on the track is so great that someone will look the other way and think it's worth the gamble. There are a hundred guys with squeaky clean images and no baggage that they can choose from.
Whether he is telling the truth or not, he should start to plan his post-racing life.
He will be lucky to get a Go-Kart ride in Uganda after this. He may not be guilty, who knows. But he is surely coming up with a lot of excuses for the failed test...NASCAR's fault, lab's fault, Clartin Ds, ADD drugs, noxious fumes...All but him. Maybe coincidental but excuse making usually is associated with someone who is trying to cover up.
Ya know he was a marginal qualifier with his own team, coming down to making the show or not each week. $$ depended on his making the show and getting a paycheck for himself and team members. So it surely wouldn't surprise me if in the heat of the moment he was trying to get a leg up on the "Go-or-Go-Homers." Any fractional edge would be the difference of going home and zilch bank deposit or a few thousand to live another day.
Maybe Shana Mayfield can do like Patricia Blagojevich and go on celeb TV and make money for her DOA husband. Rod is the same as Jeremy...always someone else's fault.
Was KB tested for drugs following his Sat. behavior, from the time he got off his helicopter to his smashing the trophy...? I asked the same question after he deliberately wrecked Colin Braun, the race leader, and Brian Scott during the Charlotte truck race.
Marybeth
Matt,
I found this and thought that I would send it along. Marybeth
o From: Myespn.go.com David Newton 6/10/09
o The Lesson Here? “Don’t Do Stupid Stuff”.
zOMGFAVRE (6/10/2009 at 7:30 PM)
Report Violation
Jon, I agree with the hair follicle. I've been wondering this entire time why he hasn't taken a sample to another testing agency to see if they find anything.
Quote from Marty Smith's article/interview in the Charlotte infield:
"Mayfield got more animated with each passing question, and at one point Shana tried to calm him down. He kept going. He denied taking any illegal drugs and even pinched a bunch of his hair, mentioning that a hair sample would date back before Richmond."
I don't know why that hasn't been done yet.
jon_jonis_HERE (6/10/2009 at 7:04 PM)
Report Violation
dukess2 Claritin D-Pseudoephedrine, Adderall amphetamines, Meth- methamphetamines. They all are tested for individually. Both drugs are stimulants of the central nervous system, just like MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy. But amphetamine is known technically as methylated phenylethylamine, while methamphetamine is known as double methylated phenylethylamine. The second methylation (to make up a word) changes the compound's interaction with the body. This is not NASCAR going to the corner store asking the pharmacist for a pee cup to do their own test. This lab does this for their lively hood, I doubt they are going to just go out there and randomly select a cup to contaminate with Methamphetamines. If that were the case that is why there is a sample B which also tested positive for the 3 for mentioned substances. I have many problems with Mr Methfield I mean Mayfield, if this was myself and my career and name were on the line. I would provide a hair follicle (which shows any drug use up to a 6 month period) and blood sample to test, to prove I was not on said substance!
Be careful, folks. That report in ESPN was deduced from the parts of the countersuit from NASCAR. Don't drink the Kool-aid offered by a 'corporate partner' of the Faux King
Claritin-D has components that indicate Meth use, but does NOT prove a thing. If he's proven to have used it he will go to jail, and that will solve NASCAR's problem
Please let this work its way thru the system before ya'll hang Mayfield. He's already going to lose any chance of competing in a major series anywhere as he won't attract ANY sponsorship, even if he's proven innocent.
Again...DON'T drink the Kool-Aid! Let's see what the truth is.
I know it would be inconvenient for the media, but it is entirely possible that Aegis and NASCAR are telling the truth - and the report on ESPN was based on 2 sources, not just "deduced" from its countersuit.
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