THINKS THE EAGLES STOLE ONE
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A judge issued a temporary injunction yesterday to lift Jeremy Mayfield's drug suspension, leaving the NASCAR driver free to race at Daytona this weekend.
U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen concluded the "likelihood of a false positive in this case is quite substantial." The decision came after NASCAR's lawyers portrayed Mayfield as a danger to the sport after he tested positive for methamphetamines on May 1. He was suspended indefinitely 8 days later.
Mayfield's lawyers argued that he never used recreational drugs and that NASCAR's testing system was flawed.
"This is huge for us. This means more to me probably than any race I've ever won or anything," a smiling Mayfield said outside the courtroom, with his wife, Shana, at his side.
Mayfield said he was unsure whether he would be able to secure the money needed to bring his car to Daytona. The deadline to enter Saturday's race was June 23. Mayfield can join the race as a late entry until the garage opens at 8:30 a.m. today, but would earn no championship points.
Mayfield also suggested he might drive a car for another team and said a decision would be made soon.
NASCAR chairman Brian France said the organization has no immediate plans to file an appeal, but he didn't rule it out. *
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