I guess performance enhancers really are abused in all sports

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news?slug=ap-nascar-positivetest&prov=ap&type=lgns

DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP)—Jeremy Mayfield was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR on Saturday for failing a random drug test, becoming the first driver to violate a toughened new policy that went into effect this season.

Mayfield tested positive for a banned substance last weekend at Richmond International Raceway. NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter would not reveal what banned substance Mayfield used, but Hunter said it was not an alcohol-related offense.

“There is no place for substance abuse in our sport,” Hunter said.

NASCAR also suspended two crew members for failed tests at Richmond.

Tony Martin, a crew member for the car John Andretti drove last weekend at Richmond, and Ben Williams, a crew member for the Nationwide Series car Matt Kenseth drove last weekend, were both suspended indefinitely.

Mayfield, who is driving a car this season he owns himself, failed to qualify for Saturday night’s Sprint Cup race at Darlington Speedway.

He did not immediately return a voice mail message left on his cell phone Saturday by The Associated Press.

The suspension applies to Mayfield’s roles as owner and driver of the No. 41 Toyota. Although the car can race next week at Lowe’s Motor Speedway with another driver, Hunter said it cannot be entered with Mayfield as the owner.

John Andretti, who finished 32nd in last week’s race at Richmond, said he’s not worried that the driver next to him might be driving impaired and applauded NASCAR’s tougher drug policy.

“I think it’s a great thing that they (NASCAR) do,” Andretti said from Indianapolis, where he’s preparing for the Indy 500 later this month. “And whoever they catch and confirm, so there’s no mistake, shame on them.”

Just days after the Daytona 500, one of Mayfield’s crew members became the first person punished under NASCAR’s new drug policy for a failed test. Mayfield fired Paul Chodora after he was suspended by NASCAR.

“We as an organization appreciate NASCAR’s drug testing policies and policing efforts as it makes the sport stronger overall,” Mayfield said after firing Chodora. “If Paul doesn’t comply with NASCAR’s reinstatement process, then he will no longer be an employee of Mayfield Motorsports.”

Mayfield, a two-time qualifier for the Chase for the championship, has five Cup victories in 433 career starts, but none since 2005 at Michigan. He was fired by Evernham Motorsports in late 2006 and bounced around until this season, when he formed Mayfield Motorsports.

He threw the team together in less than a month but made headlines as the underdog who raced his way into the season-opening Daytona 500. But he made just four of the next 10 races, and is currently 44th in the Cup standings.

NASCAR announced a new, tougher drug policy last September. The guidelines were strengthened in part because of former Truck Series driver Aaron Fike’s admission that he had used heroin—even on days he raced. That led Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick and other veteran drivers to call on NASCAR to add random drug testing to its policy.

Under the new rules, all drivers and crew members had to be tested before the season began. Random tests are scheduled throughout the year, and at least four drivers are tested each weekend. Hunter said the drivers are selected through an automated computer program.

Former NASCAR driver Dario Franchitti was stunned by the news.

“I know the IndyCar drug policy is pretty stringent, and I know NASCAR has really been ramping it up,” he said from Indianapolis, where he qualified third. “I think it’s very important when you’re in a car that you have to be there 100 percent.”

Trucks driver Ron Hornaday last year admitted using testosterone for more than a year—before it was added to the sport’s banned list—to treat a medical issue. Hornaday has Grave’s disease, a condition he is now treating with Synthroid, which replaces a hormone normally produced by the thyroid gland to regulate the body’s energy and metabolism.

NASCAR did not punish him for the testosterone admission because the cream did not enhance his performance or impair his judgment.

NASCAR’s past policy allowed for testing any time series officials had “reasonable suspicion” to question a driver or crew member. Fike’s admission forced NASCAR to begin a weekly, random process.

On Wednesday, former Nationwide Series driver Kevin Grubb was found dead in a Richmond-area motel room from what police said was an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Grubb was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR after a second failed drug test in 2006 and never raced again in a NASCAR sanctioned event.

Shane Hmiel, who made 119 starts in NASCAR’s top three national series, received a lifetime suspension in 2006 after a third failed drug test. Hmiel, who made seven Cup starts in 2004 and 2005, won the Truck Series race at Las Vegas in 2004.

Posted by: Below Average Dave 

I guess performance enhancers really are abused in all sports




Hey!  We have another person recognizing that NASCAR is a sport!  ;)

NASCAR's zero tolerance really makes this a surprising story-you don't hear about this too often.  When they say zero tolerance, they mean it-they don't let things slide.

I never figured Mayfield for a user, but who knows about pit crew guys....there really is no room for substance abuse when you've got 43 guys in cars going 200mph-unacceptable.

NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter would not reveal what banned substance Mayfield used, i'd be tempted to guess amphetamines. the air force got in trouble once giving phets to jet pilots.

Why is this in the SPORTS thread?, it's not a real sport.  ;) ;)

Frank, I'm gonna have to send Guido, The Nascar Enforcer after you........I hate to do it, you seemed like a nice guy. But when you cross the Family, we gotta retaliate, you know what I'm sayin'?  This is gonna hurt you a lot more than it's gonna hurt me....

    http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/12/glasses13.gif  http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/04/dogrun.gif


When the dog catches ya, we're gonna fit you with some really nice concrete boots......

;D


Yes, it's late, but thank goodness someone pointed out where the  http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/11/coffee.gif is!!!  ;) :D

Frank, I'm gonna have to send Guido, The Nascar Enforcer after you........I hate to do it, you seemed like a nice guy. But when you cross the Family, we gotta retaliate, you know what I'm sayin'?  This is gonna hurt you a lot more than it's gonna hurt me....

    http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/12/glasses13.gif   http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/04/dogrun.gif


When the dog catches ya, we're gonna fit you with some really nice concrete boots......

;D


Yes, it's late, but thank goodness someone pointed out where the  http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/11/coffee.gif is!!!  ;) :D


Umm, did I ever mention that I'm actually Italian?
No one from the family will hurt others in the family. Guido is my brother. And he doesn't think NASCAR is a sport either  :D  (OK, I'll stop with this "NASCAR isn't a sport" thing, for today at least)

Funny, you don't look Italian.......

Wait, my dog is your brother?  ???



Ok, I'll tell you what, I'll cut ya some slack. But only because you're family.....but if anyone comes to me and tells me you're disrespectin' the Boss' favorite sport, I won't have a choice...I'll have to have you....taken care of. Believe me, I understand.  Everyone has their own opinion.....just be careful out there.....I'd hate for you to wake up sleepin with the fishes.... ;) ;D


I've watched too much Sopranos', haven't I?  :D

Funny, you don't look Italian.......

Wait, my dog is your brother?  ???



Ok, I'll tell you what, I'll cut ya some slack. But only because you're family.....but if anyone comes to me and tells me you're disrespectin' the Boss' favorite sport, I won't have a choice...I'll have to have you....taken care of. Believe me, I understand.  Everyone has their own opinion.....just be careful out there.....I'd hate for you to wake up sleepin with the fishes.... ;) ;D


I've watched too much Sopranos', haven't I?  :D

My Italian family forgives you and you may live another day.  :)
Signed: "Don" Frank

My Italian family forgives you and you may live another day.  :)
Signed: "Don" Frank





Thanks, that's an offer I can't refuse!  ;D