NASCAR defends its drug rules
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - NASCAR chairman Brian France defended the circuit's drug-testing policy yesterday, saying it is the toughest in professional sports, despite a federal judge's ruling that overturned driver Jeremy Mayfield's suspension.
Mayfield was suspended indefinitely May 9 for what NASCAR said was a positive test for methamphetamines. He sued to be reinstated, and U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen's injunction Wednesday allowed him to return to competition based on Mayfield's argument that NASCAR's testing system is flawed.
TERRY RENNA / Associated Press
Chairman Brian France says NASCAR needs its strict rules. A judge reinstated a driver.
Mullen questioned the test results, saying the possibility of a false positive was "quite substantial," and ruled that the harm to Mayfield significantly outweighed the harm to NASCAR.
But France said the sport needs a tough system that bans impaired drivers.
"We remain very comfortable and very calm, despite the ruling, that our policy is thorough, it's accurate, and it's fair," he said at Daytona International Speedway, site of tonight's Coke Zero 400 race.
"It's our responsibility to protect the drivers, the fans, other participants within the events."
Mayfield did not enter his car in tonight's event and will be able to compete only as a NASCAR-approved relief driver.
France said NASCAR is exploring its legal options concerning the injunction. A civil suit by Mayfield and NASCAR's countersuit remain.
Mayfield has denied using methamphetamines and blamed the positive test result on the combined use of Adderall for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Claritin-D for allergies.
Nationwide Series
DAYTONA, BEACH, Fla. - Clint Bowyer won the Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeno 250 race at Daytona International Speedway for his first victory of the year.
Bowyer won a final two-lap overtime sprint after lining up next to Carl Edwards in the double-file restart.
Sprint Cup
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Sprint Cups points leader Tony Stewart was awarded the pole for tonight's race at Daytona International Speedway after rain washed out qualifying yesterday.
