Mayfield v. NASCAR: Where Do We Go From Here?

by Chris Leone, Special To NASCAR commentary and driver pictures, 2012 NASCAR schedule, video, Bench Racing With Steve and Charlie

I do weekly Fantasy Pick'Em columns here at OPR, as well as the occasional opinion and analysis piece. I also provide the IZOD IndyCar Series coverage. For more on that, head to my site, OpenWheelAmerica.com. My Twitter handle is @christopherlion.

July 29, 2009 12:49 am UTC 13 Comments

Part three of three, the final part in an in-depth (and perhaps entirely unnecessary) deeper look into the Jeremy Mayfield v. NASCAR case. I’ll stop discussing it, I promise.

So what does the future hold for Jeremy Mayfield and NASCAR, and what is going to make or break this court case? We know now that Mayfield won’t be returning to the track, instead focusing on the legal battle, meaning that this could drag out for a long time.

The documentary that Mayfield claims to be producing could play a huge part in the resolution. If Mayfield has documentary footage that can aid in his eventual vindication, then his attorneys need to submit that evidence – unedited – to the judge at some point.

If that documentary footage disproves NASCAR’s claim that the drug test they administered on July 6 was “held up,” then it begins to unravel NASCAR’s case of “real science and sworn affidavits,” as Ramsey Poston said.

Lisa Mayfield’s claims against her stepson also will play a huge role in the resolution to this struggle. If, as she claims, Jeremy Mayfield used meth at least 30 times in her presence, then his case is shot. He’s done. We’d have simply witnessed one of the best and most logical defenses of a guilty man in recent memory.

On the other hand, if she is guilty of all that Jeremy Mayfield has accused of her (namely, that she lied in the affidavit because NASCAR paid her to, that she has a vendetta against the driver, and that she killed Terry Mayfield, her husband and Jeremy’s father), NASCAR has done more than just shooting itself in the foot. They’d have sabotaged their entire case due to confidence that her status as a Mayfield family member and the sanctioning body’s deep pockets would pull them through.

Until and unless that or something else unravels their defense, however, expect this battle to drag on for quite a while. Neither side is, at this point in time, willing to relent.

Mayfield, however, has to start checking himself again before he speaks. Grandiose claims of a major sponsor and suggesting that NASCAR “doesn’t want it” aren’t great public relations moves. As stressful and damaging as this saga has already been for both sides, if Mayfield doesn’t keep his emotions in check, he’ll be shooting himself in the foot. Erratic behavior will only lead NASCAR to claim that he exhibits traits of a drug user.

If Mayfield’s case falls apart, the sanctioning body will probably crush him into defeat, and we’ll probably never see the two-time Chase driver again. It’d be the same as in any other case where the individual takes on the higher power and loses.

However, if NASCAR’s defense unravels, and the public begins to scrutinize their defensive tactics, expect to see a settlement offer for Mayfield just to go away. But would Mayfield accept such an offer? Sure, on one hand, it seems to be admitting defeat and vindication for the driver. At the same time, however, it could be viewed as NASCAR paying Mayfield to shut up, and he obviously isn’t the type to buy into that.

Given NASCAR’s latest claims that Mayfield lied about his chronology of the events of July 6, this battle will probably last through the end of the year. The only certainty at this point is that we won’t be seeing Jeremy Mayfield in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series anytime soon.

Filed under: Jeremy Mayfield

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13 Responses to “Mayfield v. NASCAR: Where Do We Go From Here?”

Marc on July 29th, 2009 1:36 am

Chris – “The documentary that Mayfield claims to be producing could play a huge part in the resolution. If Mayfield has documentary footage that can aid in his eventual vindication, then his attorneys need to submit that evidence – unedited – to the judge at some point.”

Ahem… that alleged documentary has been latched onto buy the lemmings and nutcakes. They are all panties bunched and screaming it proves he didn’t take drugs prior to the Richmond test.

I give you Mayfield in his own words as told to Nate Ryan host of Late Shift radio show on Sirius, the interview occurred the same day NASCAR’s results became public that he tested positive for meth [July 6th test]

Ryan: “Another contention from NASCAR is that you attempted to dilute this drug test and that was the reason for the delay, that you had attempted to dilute it by ingesting large quantities of water. Would you care to respond to that?”

Mayfield: “Yeah, I’d love to respond to it. The day after this happened, day one, we started shooting a documentary on all this, some buddies of mine and friends of mine in the past that I worked with, they’re in the movie business kinda, out in L.A. And we started shooting a documentary of our lives every day since then.

The day after the July 6th test his alleged film crew started to film him. Now anyone with a reasonable and rational mind has to conclude that film won’t in anyway disprove the first the second and third NASCAR tests, one by in independent lab, meaning not Aegis.

Also note in that same interview he gave one sample to an emergency room and a second one to a place called Piedmont Urgent Care.

Threethings on that 1. he and his lawyers all claim NASCAR should follow fed guidelines as set forth by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Piedmont Urgent Care isn’t listed as being certified to take urine samples by the SAMHSA and 2. Obviously you can’t have it both ways, to accuse NASCAR of not following fed guidelines, then use an non-certified lab as proof of anything is disingenuous at best, at worst it’s flat-out stupid, and 3. Papers filed July 22nd by his lawyers claim that sample was given to Frye Regional Medical Center.

So which is it, Piedmont or Frye? He and his lawyers are like the Gang that Couldn’t Shoot straight, and needless to say someone is lying.

On Lisa Mayfield, I’ve already said she’s a crank and she is the first an only provable example of NASCAR screwing up at this point. On the other hand Mayfield’s claim of NASCAR paying her is not believable, and his lawyers have not offered any evidence to prove they did.

To think NASCAR would pay a witness, and “spike” drug samples and risk a mulit-billion dollar business for a driver that at best is second tier and has had not a single sniff by a large team asking he drive from them since leaving Evernham is just not believable, possible but not very likely.

“Given NASCAR’s latest claims that Mayfield lied about his chronology of the events of July 6, this battle will probably last through the end of the year.”

Far longer than that, judge Mullen set the court date for his suit for Sept. 13th 2010.
HENRY on July 29th, 2009 11:12 am

Marc has been known to “spin” facts before. THe afternoon test was at Piedmont Urgent Care and they only collected the sample, Labcorp did the tests. THe second test that day (after the one collected by Nascar) was done at Frye Regional Medical Center. and also tested by Labcorp. I believe the results of this test was published on the internet and could have been submitted in court ( I’m not sure of that) I am in no way proclaiming Jeremy innocent, Just wanted to correct a couple of things
Marc on July 29th, 2009 3:02 pm

“HENRY” Having a bit of reading comprehension difficulty? Not to mention not knowing the real facts of when and where all the tests done on July 6th.

One sample on July 6th according to Mayfield was given Piedmont Urgent Care although court records say it was at Frye Regional Medical Center, and yes LabCorp did the testing.

The second, and only other sample Mayfield gave that day was given at an Emergency Room, I qoute in Mayfield’s own words:

“I had a test done before their test and I had a test done 30, 35 minutes after their test that got different results than what they’re mentioning there.”

He continues Yeah, definitely. And I took it at two different facilities. One was at the Piedmont Urgent Care before their test and another one actually at an emergency room right after their test. And the one I took after their test was, I’m going to say 30, 35 minutes later just to let you know the timeline there. I promise you they’ll show different results than what they show.”

Got any other “spun facts” you have a desire to point out “HENRY?”

And BTW perchance can you explain why Mayfield has said he still takes Adderall and Buric his lawyer suggested the same, why do the results that Mayfield submitted to U.S. District Court of his July 6 independent test show no findings of methamphetamine nor amphetamine, considering Mayfield’s continued use of Adderall should show a positive result for amphetamine?
HENRY on July 29th, 2009 3:18 pm

I believe the confusion is that Frye Regional Medical Center is the “emergency room”

First test at Piedmont Urgent Care — done in the afternoon

Second test at Frye Regional Medical Center (the emergency room) done after Nascar’s test

The way I understood it , that’s the way it happened
Marc on July 29th, 2009 5:00 pm

HENRY, in that case you have to, without doubt, call Mayfield a liar based on his own words.

On the other hand you can throw the Wolfe Drug Testing facility into the mix.

Not to mention Mayfield’s “agitation” when he realized someone is required to watch him give the sample.
Marc on July 29th, 2009 5:03 pm

And BTW, you failed to point out any other facts I have attempted to spin as you alleged in your first comment..
Chris Leone on July 29th, 2009 8:22 pm

Marc… how could they have begun shooting the documentary on July 7 when they’ve said that the documentary crew met the NASCAR representatives on the 6th? I believe Mayfield was referring to May 10, the day after the announcement of his suspension – a much more logical point at which to begin shooting a documentary. Think about it – what’s the point of even shooting it if it’s going to miss the first, and most important, two months of the ordeal? I believe he called it “day one” for a reason.
Marc on July 30th, 2009 2:40 am

I don’t know Chris, better ask Mayfield.

But to clear any misunderstanding the quotes I gave were spoken on Sirius Radio July 10th the day the July 6th test results were announced by NASCAR.

That leaves little ambiguity when he says, “day after this happened, day one, we started shooting a documentary on all this…”

There’s little doubt the ref is to the July 6th test and clearly he’s talking about filming starting then.

It also may possibly explain why all the BS delaying tactics he used that day. He had to get his film crew on scene once he knew they would be at his house because there isn’t one chance in hell any the lab used that day would have allowed any filming inside their facilities.

But I agree on him meeting NASCAR representatives on the 6th. In fact here’s the quote Scene Daily reports is in the court records and is part of the time-line of events that occurred on July 6th. [I have a few of the pdf files of some of the court proceedings but unfortunately I haven't gotten my grubby hands on this one. Yet.]

“Frazier, Randy Taylor, an employee of testing collection agency Examone, and Cyndi Nash, an employee of CK’s Drug Testing Services, arrived at Mayfield’s home between 7:35 and 7:40 p.m., where they were met at the front door as they approached the home. They were met by Mayfield, his wife and a videographer. Jeremy Mayfield told them that the footage would be used later as part of a documentary, according to Frazier.”

Also note where Jeremy was being an utter asshole during the process and his wife even had to apologize for him.
Marc on July 30th, 2009 3:02 am

P.S. Chris… Lets assume your right and the filming started May 10th.

What possible good is it? None of the labs samples have been given to would allow these hollywierd wanna-bes into to film any of the process involved in giving samples.

LabCorp damn sure wouldn’t allow filming as they tested his samples. He gains nothing, it’s another of his many grandstand plays.

And BTW, I haven’t seen the press catch any shots of his film crew as he has shown up for court, every time he has the photogs have gotten a shot of him entering. Additionally none of the interviewers over these long weeks have EVER mentioned him having a film crew with him. Not Sirius, not the local Charlotte stations hes been crying to, none of them.

And the kicker for me is, remember the media storm when Mayfield busted his suspension and walked into Lowes the week after his suspension?

Does anyone really think Mayfield had a film crew with him that weekend [16-17 May] and NONE of the reporters noticed them and never asked about them or reported on it?
HENRY on July 30th, 2009 7:00 am

Here is a video interview showing a camera crew with him during an interview

http://www.wsoctv.com/video/20078432/index.html
Marc on July 30th, 2009 1:23 pm

Thanks for proving my point HENRY, that is obviously after the July 6th test.

Now show me one with a film crew as far back as May 10th, and show me and interview with a media source that did an on site interview that asks him about why a film crew is with him, or even mentions it.

And BTW, where are all those other facts you claim I attempted to “spin?”

P.S. You can also explain what good his film crew is doing him if you believe it is and how anyone beside his sycophants and lemmings would believe he’s being filmed 247/7.

Do <you actually think these hollywierd wanna-bes are sitting in his bedroom as Jeremy and his wife sleep each and every night to record how he’s not doing something that’s possibly illegal?

P.P.S. You also need to enter URL’s in the correct fashion vice just dumping the raw link into the post. It’s easy to do and easy to learn how.
HENRY on July 30th, 2009 2:41 pm

“”"”Additionally none of the interviewers over these long weeks have EVER mentioned him having a film crew with him. Not Sirius, not the local Charlotte stations hes been crying to, none of them.”"”

I never said they have been doing this since the first of May, I just posted a link showing they were at some point , you seem to think there has never been one.

I don’t know what good they will do except maybe to make him some money selling it, who knows!! Someone seems to think it will do some good or they wouldn’t be doing it.

The “spin” I was referring to was your statement about him being confused about where the two tests were done on July 6, I had explained that to you before and you still seem to be confused. Excuse me, I’ll try not to keep the facts straight from now on.

BTW: I tried the link, seemed to work pretty good
Marc on July 30th, 2009 4:14 pm

HENRY – “I never said they have been doing this since the first of May, I just posted a link showing they were at some point , you seem to think there has never been one.

Do I think that? You need a refresher at what I actually said: “And BTW, I haven’t seen the press catch any shots of his film crew as he has shown up for court, ”

Not having seen photog evidence of something is not the same as saying ” It didn’t happen.”

But you knew that right?

The fact I pointed to the May 10th date is in partial answer to Chris. You knew that also right?

As for your “spin” evidence, it is easy to interpret both sides of events on July 6th, we have a different opinion however, you implied more than that.

You clearly said I have “been known to “spin” facts before.”

You not only suggest I’m wrong now but have been in the past.

So, smart guy, what went before?

“BTW: I tried the link, seemed to work pretty good”

Again plain language escapes you, where did I say your link didn’t work? I commented on what was contained in your link so how did you conclude it didn’t work?

Connect the dots guy. But hey I’m willing to teach you. [notice the difference between that link and yours?]

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