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Both NASCAR's and Mayfield's reputations absolutely come into play in this whole deal. NASCAR is well know for selectively enforcing rules from it's Etch-A-Sketch rulebook and Jeremy has never had a problem burning bridges behind himself. Regardless of the outcome of this thing neither of them will win in the court of public opinion. Jeremy, however, has a lot more to lose than NASCAR does.
Forgive me for being skeptical, but right now the evidence is that on the first sample, which was tested twice, Methamphetamine was found. When NASCAR tried to do another random test this Monday, Mayfield jumped through hoops to try and avoid it. Again, makes me skeptical. If the argument is that NASCAR is an evil entity that will use crooked labs to make Jeremy look guilty, OK. But short of that being the case, I'd say Jeremy is hiding drug use. IMO that doesn't mean he shouldn't have a chance to go to rehab and then get back into business with random testing fairly often.
Latest from Mayfield, from Jayski:
Mayfield defends himself in interview; considering selling team: UPDATE: Suspended Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield has broken his silence, vehemently denying allegations of drug use and adamantly defending himself from recent NASCAR claims in an exclusive interview with ESPN. "Every time there's an action [by NASCAR], there's going to be a reaction. From here on out," Mayfield said in a phone interview Wednesday from his home in Statesville, N.C. "I try to be nice. I try to be respectful to them. I try to do everything right. But I'm not getting drug through the mud no more." Mayfield repeated his stance that he never took methamphetamine. He also said he no longer consumes alcohol, largely due to the fact, he said, his father was a "bad alcoholic." Asked if he had ever taken illegal drugs, Mayfield responded, "What are you calling illegal? I've drank beer. I don't drink beer at all anymore. I don't drink. Don't do anything." He said he feels as though NASCAR is attempting to make an example of him. "I feel like that's exactly what they thought I was going to be. Exactly. To a 'T,'" Mayfield said. "Now, all the sudden, Brian's [France, NASCAR Chairman] coming back saying, 'Well, we have positive tests all the time.' Well, if it's a zero-tolerance policy, how in the hell do you have people testing positive all the time? "Then he comes back and says there's a list. I forget what big word he used -- an exhaustive list of drugs. Everybody in the world has asked him why the drivers don't have a list. What did he say? Now there's a list -- an exhaustive list. Right? Where's it at?" Mayfield broke his silence in response to accusations by NASCAR on Wednesday that he had purposely delayed taking a drug test by more than seven hours on Monday. The comments infuriated Mayfield, who said he was sent on a "wild goose chase," and was given just 18 minutes to get to a NASCAR-appointed lab to undergo testing. "I wasn't running or hiding from anybody, because I don't have to," he said.(ESPN.com)(7-9-2009)
He said, they said, right?
Not quite. Nascar has already effectively admitted they were wrong in the collection process. Drivers who were interviewed last week said the starting at Sonoma the "collection" went from 5-10 minutes in the past to about half an hour now. They are now using the "I'm taking these drugs" forms they were supposed to be using along (no more telephone tag). (The drivers didn't mention if the cups they were given were sealed & sterilized and then sealed in their presence, but Nascar would have to be crazy not to at this point. I suspect the Medical Review Official will see that Federal guidelines are followed to.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Chaparral66
NASCAR has "effectively" admitted they were wrong in how they collected samples? How so? Have a link to any articles? I'd like to see that. All I've read so far is that they were following "proper procedure", whatever that is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonesi
This is my whole point about this whole thing, all we've got is NASCAR saying one thing, and Mayfield another. I don't think we'll come close to the truth until this deal goes to trial, where specific - and even uncomfortable - questions will have to be asked so we can get the real story. Mayfield says combining Adderall and Claritin caused the appearence of methamphetamines. NASCAR's head sawbones says that's not possible. We need an independent authority, in a court of law, to confirm either way.
I haven't seen anything written about it on the web. It was on the prerace show before the Daytona race. Don't know if TNT or any other source has it on the web.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chaparral66
From what I have been told, drivers and other competitiors were required at the beginning of the season to submit a list of any prescription and OTC meds they were taking on a regular basis. Any variation to those was supposed to be reported to Dr Black and NASCAR. All prospective competitors were supposedly tested before the start of the 2009 season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonesi
I can't imagine any medical professional collecting samples in anything other than a sterilized collection cup and following the protocol for proper collection. I haven't read or heard anywhere who is doing the collections at the track. Typically it's a process in which the "employer", in this case NASCAR, takes any part in the process. Everyone who I know who's subject to testing has their samples collected by agents of the testing lab.....period. HIPPA laws are extremely stringent in these sorts of situations.
Jeremy and NASCAR can and are spinning their sides of the story. Somewhere in the court process the truth will be revealed. Whether or not we'll hear about it is another story.
Anyone want to post what page and paragraph of "Nascar's Substance Abuse Policy" this rule is located? Because I went back through it and I can't find it. (It's a pdf of a photo copy so it's not word searchable, and one of the worst written rules I've ever seen.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparky1329
Also without a list what needs to be reported? Are they really supposed to call in everytime they swig some Pepto-Bismol?
On Wind Tunnel last week there was a lawyer on with Dave DeSpain discussing this case. He didn't say much about the Mayfield case. But he also represents a several drivers, including Jimmy Johnson. He said that Johnson suffers from a lot of alergies. He said that Johnson spends a lot of time reporting to NASCAR and discussing with them the perscriptions and over the counter drugs that he's taking.
Wonder why Mayfield couldn't have done the same?
Correction to this sentence:
"Typically it's a process in which the "employer", in this case NASCAR, takes any part in the process."
S/B "Typically it's a process in which the "employer", in this case NASCAR, does NOT take any part in the process."
My knowledge in this area is limited to the people I know. My husband was subject to random testing as a condition of his employment before he retired. The testing lab had a small motorhome manned by a staff that was credentialed and trained for the purpose of drug testing to satisfy insurance company requirements. The mobile lab would be on site and waiting for employees to arrive to report for work. Those who came up on the testing list had to visit the mobile lab on their arrival and give the staff a urine sample. I would hope that this type of process is and has been used by NASCAR since they implemented their testing policy.