I have really been listening close when it comes to the Jeremy Mayfield suspension story. The main reason I am so interested is because I like Jeremy and I want to believe his story. My problem with believing his story is that it just does not make sense based on the medical review officer’s explanation and NASCAR’s explanation of Mayfield’s positive tests. Yes I said tests. His “A” sample and “B” samples both tested positive.
Maybe I do not understand the way the testing process takes place but I think I have a decent understanding based on the articles I am reading and the radio shows that have been covering this issue. From what I understand, if you test positive, the medical review officer contacts you (before any contact is made to NASCAR, or whatever company is having you tested) and once you are informed of your positive result, you then have an opportunity to present your case to the “MRO” so they can evaluate the result. Again, from what I have read and heard Mayfield was given this opportunity and his explanation of it being a mixture of an allergy medicine mixed with a prescription drug has been denied by a doctor that is part of handling the results of the NASCAR substance abuse policy. I also understand that Mayfield’s “B” sample tested positive and this tells me that the system that is in place is pretty solid.
I know NASCAR has not come out and said what drug he tested positive for but if you listen closely they have eliminated several possibilities including alcohol and performance enhancing drugs. Plus, there was a statement made that his violation was “a clear violation of the policy.”
There does seem to be a little bit of an issue on the timeline of when NASCAR knew about the positive result. The only reason this is probably an issue is because Mayfield was allowed to practice and qualify at Darlington. I feel sure if NASCAR thought the other competitors were in danger they would have pulled him out of the car before practice started.
I know Mayfield must play the politically correct game for a while as he tries to prove his innocence. I would like to believe that he could prove the test was wrong but I really do not see this happening. We have all heard the few stories of the testing policies being wrong but it seems to me that everything was administered properly. The evidence that we all know about in the public seems to lean towards the test being correct. Maybe once Mayfield presents his case to NASCAR through the legal action he is seeking, his name can be cleared. I know all of his fans out there sure hope he can present a strong case.
Let’s not forget that there have been other drivers suspended. There have been other crew members suspended. Let’s also remember there have been plenty of drivers, crew members, and people working in this sport that have had clean test results.