CUP: Report - Mayfield Was Suspended For Amphetamines

Sprint Cup

CUP: Report - Mayfield Was Suspended For Amphetamines

Jeremy Mayfield was suspended by NASCAR on May 9....

Tom Jensen | Posted May 29, 2009 Charlotte, NC

Jeremy Mayfield was the first driver suspended under NASCAR’s random drug-testing policy. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

According to a report by Charlotte, N.C., television station WCNC, NASCAR suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield for testing positive for amphetamines.

Mayfield, through attorney Bill Diehl, filed suit against NASCAR and its drug testing company Aegis Sciences Corp. on Friday, “accusing NASCAR of unfair trade practices, negligence, defamation, breach of contract and breach of the Persons with Disabilities Act. Mayfield has said in the past that he has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,” the television station reported.

In the court filing, Mayfield claimed he used the prescription drug Adderall for ADHD and Claritin-D for his allergies. His attorney claimed the suspension was for amphetamines, but NASCAR’s attorneys referred only to a “dangerous illegal substance.”

On Friday a Mecklenburg County (N.C.) judge denied Mayfield’s request for an injunction against NASCAR that would lift his suspension. But the judge did issue a gag order barring both sides from discussing the case publicly.

According to the television station, Diehl claimed in court that NASCAR's testing was erroneous, and NASCAR didn't give Mayfield a chance to disprove the test results.

The next court hearing is scheduled June 3.

Tom Jensen is the Editor in Chief for SPEEDtv.com, the former Executive Editor of NASCAR Scene and a contributing Editor for TruckSeries.com. He is the author of “Cheating: The Bad Things Good NASCAR Nextel Cup Racers Do In Pursuit of SPEED,” and has appeared on television and radio shows to discuss NASCAR racing. Jensen is the past President of the National Motorsports Press Association. Jensen is the 1997 National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year and has won numerous national and state awards for news reporting, columns and feature writing. The Answer Man is back at SPEEDtv.com. Tom Jensen answers your questions during every race week and looks forward to hearing from you - please e-mail it to

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