Drug Policy: see the Charlotte Observer for
NASCAR's Drug Policy (pdf) Mayfield's lawsuit (pdf)

J2Mayfield:
The Mayfield Story | Part I - "The Fall".(5-6-2014)

Jeremy Mayfield running Dirt Late Models: According to World of Outlaw Late Model series PR Director Kevin Kovac, former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield, whom was suspended indefinitely from the series in 2009, will field a Dirt Late Model operation not far from his home in Denver, North Carolina. The 45-year-old has only about a handful of starts in Dirt Late Model type race cars, but has recently been back on the short tracks with Open Wheel Modified race cars around the Carolinas. The Aaron Thomas owned team has support from NASCAR elite like Humpy Wheeler and area promoter Clint Elkins and plan on competing with their Barry Wright Super Late Model in select events and in a Rayburn race car in some Crate Late Model races. Mayfield was quoted as saying he's received guidance recently from Jonathan Davenport, in the set-ups area and has an ultimate goal of racing with the Lucas Oil series full time. Mayfield's (#J2) Dirt Late Model is adorned with the "Take It Back" campaign, which references the fact he's taking back his "life and overall love of racing."(Chattanoogan)(10-9-2014)

Mayfield adamant he didn't use drugs: Jeremy Mayfield has learned never to say never but it appears that any chance of him returning to NASCAR racing is slim as he remains adamant that he did not use methamphetamine and does not need to go through NASCAR's Road to Recovery program. In an hour-long interview Wednesday with Sporting News, Mayfield covered a wide range of topics that stemmed from his 2009 drug test that NASCAR says was positive for methamphetamines. "I don't use drugs, for sure," Mayfield said. "I don't drink. I might have a couple of beers a year, maybe. ... I don't steal. I haven't broke into any buildings and stole race parts and stuff."(see full story and interview at the sportingnews.com)(6-12-2014)

Mayfield to be interviewed by Sporting News: Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield's 2009 drug suspension and lawsuit against NASCAR still has plenty of people scratching their heads. And it's a story that Mayfield hopes is not over as he attempts to resume his racing career. Mayfield will sit down with Sporting News writer Bob Pockrass for an interview at 1:00pm/et on Wednesday June 11. But this will be different than Mayfield's past interviews with Sporting News. This one will be streamed live. Fans can hear Mayfield's story in his own words and make their own decisions about how they view the former NASCAR star. The only driver to openly fight his suspension over a violation of the sport's substance-abuse policy, Mayfield remains suspended from all NASCAR activity. More info at Sportingnews.com and check out Mayfield's website.(6-11-2014)

Mayfield pleads guilty to possession of stolen goods: Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield has pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor possession of stolen goods and one count of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Mayfield will serve no jail time, but will have to pay $88,124.41 in restitution to the victims. $60,000 of that was paid Monday, with the rest being paid Tuesday, officials told WBTV. He will serve a 45-day suspended sentence and 18 months of unsupervised probation. Mayfield's home in Catawba County was searched in 2011 and items alleged to be stolen were taken by law enforcement as evidence. Mayfield was suspended indefinitely from NASCAR in May 2009 after testing positive for methamphetamine.(WBTV)(1-7-2014)

Firefighters burn former Mayfield mansion Thursday night: Firefighters went ahead with a scheduled burn of Jeremy Mayfield's former mansion. Neighbors tell us the house went up very quickly, much of it gone in less than an hour. Smoke was still rising from the home Thursday night that was once owned by former NASCAR driver Mayfield. The mansion was scheduled to be burned to the ground Dec. 14 by the Catawba Fire Department as a training exercise. The original training exercise was canceled due to inclement weather. Viewers sent photographs at the height of the fire in what the fire chief described as a training exercise after the new owner decided to burn it. The new property owner said he wants to farm the land where the house sat.()(12-20-2013)

Jeremy Mayfield's $1.3M mansion to be burned down UPDATE: A million dollar mansion once owned by former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield will be burned to the ground this weekend. Mayfield was evicted from the property last year after financial troubles stemming from a failed drug test in 2009 that banned him from racing. Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty was the only reporter allowed in the house that at one time was valued at $1.8 million. The 12,000-square-foot house isn't worth that anymore and by Saturday afternoon, much of it will be gone. Everything in the seven-bedroom, seven-bath house is stripped down from the windows to the wiring. Neighbors said Mayfield tried to renovate the home, but when he was banned from racing and arrested for possession of meth and stolen property work on the home came to an abrupt halt. Catawba Fire Chief Donald Robinson will oversee the controlled burn. He said the new owners no longer want the home that is worth just over $300,000 dollars. Burning it will take it off the tax books while providing training for firefighters in the county. Mayfield told Channel 9 he has no plans to watch the home burn. Mayfield is scheduled to go back before a judge early next month where he faces several felony charges.(WSOC TV)(12-13-2013)
UPDATE: Inclement weather has forced officials to cancel the burning of Jeremy Mayfield's former mansion, Eyewitness News learned Friday. The $2 million dollar mansion once owned by Mayfield, a former NASCAR driver, was scheduled to be burned to the ground this Saturday by the Catawba Fire Department as a training exercise. Mayfield called Channel 9 Wednesday night and said he doesn't plan to watch the $2 million home burn to the ground. Mayfield tagged WSOC-TV in a tweet Thursday saying, "Hate 2 see our previous residence burned down however, I've always loved a good bonfire. Out of the ashes a Phoenix will rise @WSOC_TV." Channel 9 will provide updates when the burning is rescheduled.(WSOC TV)(12-14-2013)

Mayfield's motion to throw out search warrant denied: Former NASCAR Driver Jeremy Mayfield was hoping a ruling from a judge Wednesday would solve his legal troubles in Catawba County. Instead, the ruling means he likely will go to trial on charges of possession of stolen goods, possession of methamphetamine and several other charges. Mayfield's attorneys had filed a motion to throw out a search warrant that was obtained by law enforcement in 2011 and led to the discovery of what authorities believe were stolen goods and methamphetamine in Mayfield's Catawba County home. The defense argued that there was no credible basis for the warrant to be issued. Catawba County Sheriff's Lt. Aaron Turk testified he obtained the warrant after speaking with an informant. Turk said the informant was John Franklin, a convicted felon who was facing more drug charges when he spoke with him. He was killed last year in a motorcycle wreck while fleeing from police. His girlfriend, who was riding with him, died as well. Methamphetamine was found on the motorcycle after the wreck. Despite that, the court ruled that the search warrant was properly handled and denied the defense motion to throw it out.(WBTV)(4-4-2013)

Some charges against Mayfield dropped: Jeremy Mayfield's quest to race in NASCAR again has taken a positive turn as 10 felony burglary-related charges were dropped in Iredell County because the primary witness against him died in a motorcycle accident last year. Mayfield, suspended by NASCAR in May 2009 for a failed drug test, still faces nine felony charges in two other North Carolina counties. Some of the Iredell County charges - stemming from alleged burglaries at Red Bull Racing and Fitz Motorsports - were dropped in November and the final one was dropped March 6, according to the court file. The dismissal sheets state that there is insufficient evidence to warrant prosecution because "co-defendant/primary witness against defendant is deceased" and "witness who can establish property was stolen from alleged victim is deceased." The co-defendant in the case is John Kavann Franklin, who died following an aborted police chase on Sept. 16. Mayfield and Franklin were indicted April 2, 2012 on charges in Iredell County. Mayfield also was charged in those cases in Catawba County, N.C., because that is where he allegedly had the possession of the stolen goods. He faces three possession of stolen goods charges, one charge of obtaining property under false pretense and one methamphetamine possession charge in Catawba, while he faces four larceny charges - for stolen goods unrelated to the race-team property - in Caldwell County. Those two counties share a prosecutor's office. Mayfield's next court date is April 1 in Catawba County court. Mayfield has been discussing a possible plea deal the last few months but there has been no resolution and Mayfield has vowed not to make any plea that results in jail time.(Sporting News)(3-18-2013)

Mayfield: "I'll do whatever they want me to do": If former NASCAR Driver Jeremy Mayfield and the district attorney's office can't agree on a plea deal before March, the case against him inCaldwellCountycould end up going to trial. Superior Court Judge Beverly Beal agreed on Wednesday to continue Mayfield's case to March 4. Mayfield faces four felony larceny charges inCaldwellCounty. Also pending against Mayfield are felony possession of methamphetamine, three counts of felony possession of stolen goods/property and felony obtaining property by false pretense inCatawbaCounty. In addition, he faces a felony breaking and or entering and felony larceny after breaking/entering charges inIredellCounty. Beal asked whether there has been a plea offer made to Mayfield. Assistant District Attorney Kyle Smith told Beal the discovery process in the case is ongoing. Smith said there have been conversations between the two sides about a plea agreement. After moving the case to March 4, Beal said unless there is a plea agreement the case is subject to being placed on the trial calendar. After his brief appearance in court, Mayfield fielded questions from various media who showed up at Caldwell County Courthouse on Wednesday to cover the case. Mayfield said he hasn't been involved in any of the conversations concerning a plea agreement but he's ready to get something done. He again said he wouldn't take a plea that involves a felony or jail time.
And Mayfield is serious about getting back to racing. "I'll do whatever they want me to do," Mayfield said Wednesday.(Hickory Record)(1-17-2013)

Mayfield calls radio show to question France UPDATE: An offseason NASCAR radio show took a bizarre turn Tuesday night when suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield called in to confront NASCAR CEO Brian France on the air. Mayfield, who spent more than three years fighting a NASCAR-imposed suspension after he tested positive for methamphetamines, placed a call to the Motor Racing Network's NASCAR Live show as France made a guest appearance.
The driver, who said he was considering a plea deal this week over multiple felony charges, got his call put through to France and host Eli Gold, who welcomed him to the show.
"I thought I would just call in and see how you guys were doing, Brian, Eli," Mayfield said. "Haven't been around much to talk to you guys lately, and just wanted to ask Brian if he's willing to accept the fact I'd like to come back racing and if we could sit down and talk about it and figure out what we need to do to make that work."
"Well, Jeremy, you know the path back for you - it's the path back for anybody," [France] said. "I've always hoped you would choose the right path and not litigation and a bunch of other things, but that's up to you and you have a welcome mat out anytime you want. There's a stated process that AJ Allmendinger just went through and we welcomed him back, and it's terrific. That's up to you."
Mayfield quickly got off the air after France's response. "OK, well, I appreciate that," Mayfield said. "I didn't mean to bother you on the show, but it's the only way I could get ahold of you and I figured it would be a great opportunity to do that."(USA Today)(1-9-2013)
UPDATE: Looking back, Mayfield says there are things he would let go rather than fight, and he would pick his battles more carefully if he gets a second chance. He's hoping for that second chance after he gets his legal troubles behind him, which he hopes will happen soon. "I'm willing to do the program, and I hope they'll tailor-fit the program to Jeremy Mayfield," Mayfield said. "I'm ready, willing and able to do anything they ask, as long as it's tailor-fitted to me." Mayfield was suspended from NASCAR in May 2009 when he tested positive for methamphetamine, something he denies. He maintains the results of the drug test were due to the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug Adderall and the allergy drug Claritin-D.(Hickory Record Interview in part)(1-10-2013)

Mayfield plea deal underway: A judge agreed Monday to keep open former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield's case in Catawba County Superior Court this week. Mayfield's Attorney David Freedman and the district attorney's office appear to be trying to work out a deal. "Communication is open," Mayfield said Monday. "We'll see how it goes." Mayfield said he will not take any kind of plea deal that would mean jail time. Mayfield was in court Monday on felony possession of methamphetamine, three counts of felony possession of stolen goods/property and felony obtaining property by false pretense. All five charges stem from a search investigators conducted on Mayfield's property on Hudson Chapel Road in Catawba on Nov. 1, 2011. Law enforcement found 1.5 grams of methamphetamine in a safe in Mayfield's home, as well as sound equipment and electronics, Red Bull Racing signs, tools and furniture that were reported stolen, according to indictments. Mayfield is also accused of selling a metal surface plate to a company for $1,200. The surface plate belonged to someone else. He has a court date in Caldwell County Superior Court Monday on four felony larceny counts. "I'm ready to put this behind me, and I'm ready to move on with my life," Mayfield said Monday before going into court. Mayfield said he knows he can't do anything with the charges hanging over his head. He would like to be reinstated in NASCAR and maybe do some drag racing.(Hickory Record)(1-8-2013)

Mayfield's house, land taken by mortgage company: The Catawba County Sheriff's Office served an order of possession on the former home and land of ex-NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield on Wednesday. Sheriff's Sgt. Kerry Hayer said officers went to Mayfield's unfinished house at 6397 Hudson Chapel Road in Catawba and changed the exterior locks on the property. In addition to the house and its surrounding land, the order of possession directed the transfer of the land and buildings Mayfield owned at 6395 Hudson Chapel Road and 1877 Bolton Road to Carolina Farm Credit.(more at the Hickory Record)(12-1-2012)

Mayfield moves: Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield has moved from his recently foreclosed-on property in Catawba County, N.C., but will get to enjoy the holidays while awaiting his next legal battle. The former Sprint Cup driver, who unsuccessfully challenged in court the results of his 2009 drug test and remains suspended by NASCAR, faces one felony count of methamphetamine possession and 18 felony charges related to stolen goods found on his former property. Those charges are spread across three North Carolina counties. His latest court appearance was Monday in Statesville, N.C., where the case was continued to Feb. 18. He also has upcoming court dates-designated as administrative hearings where the attorneys report to the judge on the case's status-on Dec. 3 in Newton, N.C., and Jan. 14 in Lenoir, N.C. Following his court appearance Monday, Mayfield confirmed that he and his wife, Shana, have moved to a new location. "We've moved," Mayfield said. "Everything is really good."(Sporting News)(11-27-2012)

Mayfield vows to return to racing: Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield was in Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday but his case was continued until Dec. 3. But standing outside of a Catawba County courtroom on Tuesday, Mayfield maintains he's not guilty of the charges and plans to fight the charges and get back into some type of racing. "That's what I would like to do," Mayfield said. He said he might get into drag racing and maybe run a few dirt races. Mayfield said he's ready to start a new chapter of his life. "We're just trying to get all this behind us and move forward," Mayfield said speaking of him and his wife, Shana. He said he and his wife are doing well. Back in May, Shana Mayfield filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, allowing the couple to remain in their home. Mayfield said he's been doing some consulting work with a couple of race teams but he would not say who the teams are, only that they are friends. Mayfield said he's also working on a partnership with another man to start a precious metals recycling business. He has court date Monday in Caldwell County on felony larceny charges. Mayfield also has a date for Iredell County Superior Court on Sept. 17 for charges of felony breaking and entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering, felony breaking and entering trailer/aircraft and felony larceny. Mayfield was suspended from NASCAR in May 2009 when he tested positive for methamphetamine, something he denies. He maintains the results of the drug test were due to the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug Adderall and the allergy drug Claritin-D.(Hickory Daily Record)(9-5-2012)

Mayfield comments on Allmendingers suspension: Jeremy Mayfield tried to fight his way back into NASCAR after being suspended for violating the sport's substance abuse policy. But his legal battle ultimately failed and, three years later, Mayfield remains suspended. So when Mayfield heard that suspended driver AJ Allmendinger would enter the sport's Road to Recovery program instead of fighting NASCAR, he understood why. "That's his only move," Mayfield, 43, said in a phone interview Wednesday. "He was in a different place in his career than I was at. I was to the point where I was tired - I wasn't going to sit there and be a puppet no more. He has to be. ... He's got to go through the Road to Recovery. For what? The guy is not a drughead, and everybody ought to know that he's not on drugs now."(see full post and many more quotes at the Sporting News)(7-26-2012)

Mayfield's lawsuit against NASCAR ends: Jeremy Mayfield's legal challenge against NASCAR over his 2009 failed drug test finally is over. With a Wednesday deadline to file a request to the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal in the case, Mayfield opted not to continue his quest to prove that NASCAR erred in determining that his May 1, 2009 drug test was positive for methamphetamines. A U.S. District Court judge ruled in favor of NASCAR in January 2010 before the case ever went to trial. The U.S. Court of Appeals upheld that ruling in March. The basis of the ruling was that Mayfield could not sue NASCAR because of waivers he signed regarding implementation of NASCAR's substance-abuse policy. The waivers are part of the agreement a driver signs with NASCAR in order to participate. "We're pleased that this case is behind us," NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said. "The courts supported our position that NASCAR can establish reasonable rules and requirements to help us regulate our sport."(Sporting News)(6-28-2012)

Shana Mayfield files for bankruptcy: In a move that will allow Jeremy Mayfield to delay the sale of his foreclosed-on property, Mayfield's wife, Shana Sessions Mayfield, has filed for bankruptcy. The move was not a surprise as the Mayfields have seen the bills stack up ever since Mayfield was suspended by NASCAR for what NASCAR officials said was a May 2009 positive drug test for methamphetamines. Mayfield's wife filed the Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition Wednesday in U.S Bankruptcy Court in North Carolina. She lists assets (not including any exempt property) of under $50,000 and liabilities of between $1 million and $10 million. The Mayfields' property of more than 400 acres in Catawba County was auctioned off for $1.725 million last week to Carolina Farm Credit, which held the mortgage. Because it came within 10 days of the auction and in the time permitted for any additional bids or for Mayfield to pay off the mortgage balance, the bankruptcy filing would put on hold the closing of the sale and allow the Mayfields to at least temporarily remain in their home. Shana Mayfield said in an email Thursday that the filing was "a natural step in the process of trying to rebuild" and allows her and her husband to delay the foreclosure.(Sporting News)(5-11-2012)

Postal worker wins $1 million from Mayfield in dog attack: On Wednesday, a Forsyth County judge ordered former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield to pay $1 million to a Catawba [NC] postal carrier attacked last year by Mayfield's five pitbulls. This is the latest salvo against Mayfield, whose home was auctioned off for failing to pay about $3 million he owed on the property. He also faces drug-possession, larceny and stolen goods charges in three North Carolina counties and was suspended from NASCAR in 2009 for testing positive for methamphetamine. Judge William Z. Wood of Forsyth Superior Court awarded Mary E. Bolton $1 million. Bolton, who lives in Catawba County, filed a lawsuit against Mayfield and his wife, Shana Mayfield, in June in Forsyth Superior Court. The suit was filed in Forsyth because Bolton's attorney, Marc Madonia, is based in Winston-Salem, NC. Bolton alleged that the Mayfields were negligent in allowing the dogs, pitbull/Labrador mixes, to run loose on their property in Catawba County. She was delivering mail the morning of April 21, 2011, and had a package too large for the mailbox outside the Mayfields' gate. She drove through the gate, past "No Trespassing" and "Beware of Dogs" signs, to deliver the package and encountered the dogs that attacked her. Mayfield heard the commotion, shouted at the dogs to scatter them and carried Bolton into the house. He and his wife called 911, and Bolton was taken to Catawba Medical Center for treatment. Animal control confiscated the dogs from Mayfield, but no criminal charges were filed against him. The dogs were later euthanized. Bolton suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and has nerve damage, Madonia said.(in part from the Morganton News Herald)(5-9-2012)

Bank buys Mayfield's home at foreclosure: Despite losing his home Monday, former race car driver Jeremy Mayfield could still be forced to pay more than $500,000 on it. For now, he has 10 days to move out of the house. On the steps of the Catawba County Courthouse, Mayfield's foreclosed property went up for auction. A small group gathered to hear the details of the 400-acre property, but in the end, there was just one bid. Carolina Farm Credit, the same bank that loaned Mayfield millions of dollars to buy the property in 2006, won the auction. The bank bid less than the $2.3 million Mayfield owed on the home, meaning the bank could still go after the former NASCAR driver for the difference. Records show Mayfield had mortgage payments of $19,000 a month, but had not paid a bill since April 2011. The winning bid kicks of a 10-day upset period, where another buyer could come forward and make an offer. If not, Mayfield has until May 10 to leave the home. Mayfield was not at the auction. In a text message, his wife, Shana, only offered one comment: "It is what it is."(WSOC)(5-1-2012)

Mayfield giving up on lawsuit against NASCAR: Jeremy Mayfield said Monday he likely will not pursue any additional appeals in his lawsuit against NASCAR over a May 2009 drug test the sanctioning body said was positive for methamphetamines. Mayfield has until June 25 to file an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, but he said Monday he likely will move on from the case that has lasted nearly three years. The lawsuit started less than a month after the May 1 drug test, which Mayfield claims was a false positive for the prescription medication Adderall and the over-the-counter allergy medication Claritin D. A U.S. District Court judge ruled in favor of NASCAR in January 2010 before the case ever went to trial. The U.S. Court of Appeals upheld that ruling in March. "We're probably going to move on," Mayfield said. "They won on a technicality, a paper I had to sign to participate." Mayfield was speaking after a court appearance in North Carolina Superior Court in Caldwell County. He faces four felony larceny charges stemming from a Feb. 27 indictment that states he was in possession of stolen goods. The case was continued until Sept. 10. Mayfield would not blame NASCAR for what was scheduled to happen later Monday-as a result of foreclosure, his property in Catawba County is scheduled for auction Monday afternoon. He said he plans to move once the sale is finalized.(Sporting News)(4-30-2012)

Mayfield indicted by Iredell County grand jury: Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield was indicted by a grand jury in Iredell County on Wednesday for several larcenies dating back to 2010. Mayfield is charged with five counts of felonious breaking and entering of tractor-trailers and one count of felony larceny. He is also charged with two counts of felony breaking and entering and felony larceny from a building. Mayfield was also indicted in February by a Catawba County Superior Court after allegedly stealing more than $1,000 worth of goods from three companies and storing the stolen items at his home.(NewsChannel 36)(4-18-2012)

ARCA owner interested in Mayfield: If suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield can avoid jail time, he could have a job back behind the wheel of a racecar later this year. ARCA team owner Roger Carter said Tuesday that he wants to put the embattled Mayfield in one of his cars. He hopes to field a car for Mayfield in the June race at Pocono Raceway, but Carter is not sure if Mayfield can compete that soon in the Midwest-based stock-car series. Carter currently operates Carter 2 Motorsports and has a long history of involvement in racing, including with the Sadler Brothers Racing team that put Mayfield in a Cup car for the first time in 1993. An ARCA spokesman said that because Mayfield has not applied for an ARCA license, the sanctioning body has no comment. Carter said that ARCA officials want to see how Mayfield's legal issues turn out before making a decision. He said he doesn't blame ARCA for hesitating to approve Mayfield, especially considering its relationship with NASCAR. ARCA runs as a support series at many NASCAR events on the same weekend. Carter said he won't cause controversy if Mayfield isn't allowed to race. He said he's talked with Mayfield and told him that he would have to submit to an ARCA drug test and be willing to take a drug test administered by the team.(Sporting News)(4-4-2012)

Mayfield faces foreclosure on property: In addition to his legal troubles, former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield now faces losing his home and land because he owes nearly $3 million for the property. Mayfield, 42, was in Catawba County Superior Court Monday on five felony charges that stem from a search warrant that was executed at his Catawba home in November. He is facing one count of possession of methamphetamine for 1.5 grams officers found in his home, three counts of possession of stolen goods and one count of obtaining property by false pretenses. Mayfield's next court appearance will be June 25. Mayfield and his wife, Shana, owe [money] on their 455 acres of property. The couple own five tracts of land, and took out two mortgages from Carolina Farm Credit on the combined acreage: one for $2.28 million and the other for $847,500, both on July 28, 2006. Although the Mayfields made some payments on the combined $3,127,500 debt, they were unable to keep up with the payments after Mayfield was suspended from NASCAR. As of Sept. 13, the Mayfields still owed about $2,387,130 on the principal for the two mortgages and an additional $334,700 in accrued interest. The mortgage company added daily interest of $392.40, as well as an additional fee of $1,000, according to court documents. Foreclosure proceedings began on Dec. 13, 2011. The property will be put up for auction on April 30 at 12 p.m. at the Catawba County courthouse in Newton. It will be given to the highest bidder. The Mayfields have 10 days to be out of their home after the auction, unless they have the money to pay off their debt on April 30, said Al Jean Bogle, clerk of superior court. That is not something Jeremy Mayfield is ruling out. "I'm working on something," Mayfield said.(Hickory Daily Record)(4-3-2012)

Appeals court refuses to reinstate Mayfield's lawsuit against NASCAR: A federal appeals court in Virginia has refused to revive former racecar driver Jeremy Mayfield's lawsuit against NASCAR over his suspension for failing a random drug test. Mayfield has argued that a combination of over-the-counter and prescription medications led to the positive test at Richmond International Raceway. A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled Monday that U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen in Charlotte, N.C., did not abuse his discretion in dismissing Mayfield's complaint. After his 2009 suspension, Mayfield sued NASCAR; its owner, Brian Zachary France; and a drug testing company for defamation, unfair and deceptive trade practices, breach of contract and negligence. Mullen tossed out the lawsuit because Mayfield had twice, as a driver and an owner, signed documents waiving his right to sue. Mayfield has argued that a combination of over-the-counter and prescription medications led to the positive test at Richmond International Raceway.(The Republic/Associated Press)
NASCAR Statement: Statement from Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR Senior Vice President, Racing Operations: "NASCAR is pleased that today the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the U.S. District Court's original decision in May 2010 in Jeremy Mayfield v. NASCAR. This case was never about anything more than NASCAR's ability to keep the sport clean and our competitors safe."(NASCAR)(3-26-2012)

Second person charged in Mayfield case: A second person has been formally charged in a theft ring involving former NASCAR Driver Jeremy Mayfield. The Hudson Police Department served an indictment on Rusty Alex Canipe of Catawba County on four counts of felony larceny, according to a news release from the Hudson Police Department. The charges are a result of an investigation into the theft of several trailers and pieces of furniture that were stolen on February 26, 2011 from the former Anderson Truck Lines. Canipe surrendered himself at the Caldwell County Magistrate's Office. His bond was set at $100,000. Mayfield was indicted on several counts of larceny on March first.(WBTV)(3-6-2012)

Mayfield turns himself into magistrate: Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield surrendered himself to a magistrate in Caldwell County Thursday afternoon. Mayfield said he is innocent of the four charges of felony larceny he was indicted on. He was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond. Mayfield is alleged to have stolen thousands of dollar worth of equipment from racing shops and other businesses across the area. Several firearms were also found at his home that were stolen. Two weeks ago, Mayfield went before a magistrate in Catawba County following an indictment on three charges of possession of stolen goods and one count of obtaining property by false pretenses. In that case he was released on a $25,000 bond. (WBTV)(3-2-2012)

Mayfield indicted on counts of felony larceny: Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield was indicted Monday on four counts of felony larceny. The new charges come less than a week after Mayfield was charged in Catawba County with possession of stolen property. The new indictments allege Mayfield was involved in stealing four trailers from a trucking company in Hudson. According to the indictments, there were several pieces of furniture in one of those trailers. Investigators say Mayfield and another man were spotted in the parking lot of the trucking company the night of the theft. Mayfield said last week he was not involved with any stolen property.(wsoctv.com)(2-28-2012)

Mayfield says he is innocent: Former race car driver Jeremy Mayfield says the new criminal charges against him are "baseless" and suggests he's the target of a conspiracy involving NASCAR and law enforcement officials. Indictments by a North Carolina grand jury released Monday charged Mayfield with three counts of possessing property stolen from businesses, and a fourth charge of obtaining property by false pretense. The charges follow a November raid on Mayfield's Catawba home after which the former NASCAR star was charged with possessing 1.5 grams of methamphetamine. Mayfield, 42, has issued a statement through his attorneys saying he is innocent. "For some reason, the district attorney's office simply ignored our offers to explain the sources of the items seized from my property and chose, instead, to indict," Mayfield said, according to the statement. "We do not know if there is any connection between the NASCAR lawsuit and this investigation but, based upon the evidence disclosed to us already by the district attorney's office, it appears that the Catawba County authorities have been coordinating with NASCAR officials." (See full story at the Associated Press)(2-22-2012)

Mayfield indicted on property charges: Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield was indicted on Monday for charges of possession of stolen goods. Mayfield was indicted for three counts of possession of stolen goods and one count of obtaining property by false pretenses. In November, Mayfield was arrested and charged with possessing methamphetamine. Mayfield was arrested at his home in the town of Catawba, according to the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. Deputies went to Mayfield's home with a search warrant after getting a tip that there were stolen goods in the house, officials said. During the search, deputies said they found 1.5 grams of methamphetamine in a gun safe. Mayfield has denied the allegations.(WSOC)(2-20-2012)

Appeals court to listen to Mayfield in drug case: A federal appeals panel in Virginia is set to hear arguments in former stock-car driver Jeremy Mayfield's lawsuit against NASCAR over his suspension for failing a random drug test. Mayfield is asking the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reinstate his lawsuit. A federal judge dismissed the suit, ruling that Mayfield signed documents that waived his right to sue. NASCAR suspended Mayfield in 2009 after he failed a drug test at Richmond International Raceway. He sued NASCAR, its owner and the drug testing company for defamation, unfair and deceptive trade practices, breach of contract and negligence. Mayfield has argued that a combination of over-the-counter allergy medication and the prescription drug Adderall led to a positive test. In November, Mayfield was arrested in North Carolina and charged with possessing methamphetamine.(Associated Press)(1-24-2012)

Lender begins foreclosure proceedings on Mayfield's property: Suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield's financial troubles got worse this week as his mortgage lender has begun foreclosure proceedings on his approximately 400-acre property in North Carolina. Mayfield took out a $3.1 million mortgage in July 2006, and his lender alleges that he has failed to make his payments, according to the foreclosure filed Tuesday in North Carolina Superior Court in Newton, N.C. That has resulted in the lender, Carolina Farm Credit, to call on Mayfield to pay the balance of $2.387 million plus more than $340,000 in interest and fees, according to the filing. A hearing on the foreclosure is set for Feb. 7.(more at SceneDaily) and see past news on the Jeremy Mayfield page.(12-15-2011)

Mayfield gets court date in quest against NASCAR: Jeremy Mayfield's next day in court - against NASCAR - is set for Jan. 24 in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Richmond. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit will hear the appeal. The panel will decide whether Mayfield has enough evidence for the case to continue. Neither NASCAR nor Mayfield will know which appeals court judges will hear the case until the morning of the hearing. Mayfield has not competed in NASCAR since the May 2009 drug test, which Mayfield claims was a false positive resulting from a combination of prescription medication for adult-deficit hyperactivity disorder and over-the-counter allergy medication. U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen dismissed Mayfield's claims in May 2010, ruling that Mayfield could not sue because of waivers that he had signed in order to compete in Cup. The judge also questioned the strength of Mayfield's evidence.(SceneDaily)(12-2-2011)

Mayfield was seen at trucking company where trailers were stolen: [former Sprint Cup driver] Jeremy Mayfield was spotted in the cab of a tractor trailer and some of the furniture stolen from the trucking company where he was seen has ended up in his home, a police search warrant says. Police raided the former NASCAR driver's home on Nov. 1 after they got a tip that stolen items were there. They found some meth and Mayfield was later indicted on a felony drug charge. The police also found $100,000 worth of stolen items - and now a trucking company says that furniture they had was found in the stolen loot, according to a search warrant. The incident involving Mayfield happened at 3 am on Feb. 26 when a tractor trailer -- without a trailer -- was parked in the rear lot of Anderson Truck Lines in Hudson, the warrant says.(see more at wbtv.com and Hickory Daily Record, and see search warrant here - pdf file)(11-17-2011)

Mayfield indicted on drug charges: A week after a raid at his home that deputies say turned up meth, 69 guns and $100,000 in stolen goods, Jeremy Mayfield has been indicted by a grand jury on drug charges. Mayfield, a former NASCAR driver, was indicted by the Catawba County grand jury on Monday for felony possession of methamphetamine. Deputies say they found 6 baggies of meth in his home during a search they did on Nov. 1 for stolen goods. Although they say they found stolen property in the home, Mayfield was not charged with possession of stolen property or any charges other than drugs. About $100,000 worth of stolen merchandise was found on Mayfield's property. Police are working now to figure out if Mayfield knew the items were stolen and he had something to do with it. The Sheriff's Office says there are 69 guns that have been logged and are still waiting to see if any are stolen. In addition to these potential theft charges, Mayfield is also facing tax problems. Catawba county tax officials say Mayfield owes more than $82,000 in back taxes on his four properties. Authorities say he is one step from foreclosure. No word when or if theft charges will come for Mayfield. Investigators say that will be up to the District Attorney. Mayfield is due in court on Nov. 14 at 9 a.m.(WBTV)(11-7-2011)

Mayfield arrested on meth charges: UPDATES: Authorities say NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield was arrested Tuesday night on drug charges. Mayfield was arrested in his home in the town of Catawba on possession of methamphetamine charges, according to the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. Deputies had gone to Mayfield's home to execute a search warrant on a tip there were stolen goods in the house. During the search, deputies found the methamphetamine. They also found items that may be stolen but deputies have not verified the items taken are in fact stolen property. Mayfield has a scheduled court appearance Wednesday morning. His is out of jail on a $3,000 bond.(WBTV)(11-2-2011)
UPDATE: A "large amount" of stolen goods were recovered from Mayfield's property, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. Detectives said they recovered items that had been stolen from Lee Boy, Inc., which is located on Highway 16 north, and Larry Grant, Inc., a trucking company in Lincolnton. The items recovered for Lee Boy, Inc., included heavy equipment parts, scrap metal, welders and welding accessories, the Sheriff's Office said. Investigators said the items recovered for Larry Grant, Inc., including truck parts, an engraving machine, truck mirrors and electric motor controllers. The items recovered are worth around $100,000, the Sheriff's Office said. They were found in a building and trailers on Mayfield's property and were returned to the owners, investigators said.(WSOC)(11-2-2011)
UPDATE 2: Statement from NASCAR: "Having just heard and read the news about the Jeremy Mayfield incident, we will have to see how the facts play out. NASCAR's goal in its Substance Abuse program has always been to keep competitors safe and create treatment opportunities for those who need it."(11-2-2011)
UPDATE 3: Jeremy Mayfield's attorney says Mayfield had no knowledge of the stolen items nor the methamphetamine found on his property that lead to his arrest Tuesday. Mayfield attorney Daniel Marino issued a statement Tuesday night: "Last evening, the Catawba County Sheriff's Department conducted a search at the home of Jeremy Mayfield," the statement said. "Mr. Mayfield understands that the purpose of the search was to seize allegedly stolen property and that the investigators claim to have seized methamphetamine from his home. Mr. Mayfield has no knowledge of either stolen property or methamphetamine being present on his property and denies the accusation that he was in possession of methamphetamine or any other illegal drug and he denies any suggestion that he knowingly received or possessed stolen property." Marino also represents the former NASCAR driver in his lawsuit against NASCAR over his suspension for a May 2009 failed drug test. Marino's statement Tuesday indicated that Mayfield is cooperating with authorities. Mayfield's next court date on the drug charge is scheduled for Nov. 14. "This search was prompted by what the evidence will show were baseless allegations by an unreliable source," the statement said. "Mr. Mayfield and his attorneys are cooperating with the authorities and they look forward to this matter being resolved quickly. In the meantime, Mr. Mayfield asks that the public reserve its judgment on this matter."(Scene Daily)(11-3-2011)
UPDATE 4: A confidential source told authorities that Jeremy Mayfield was stealing to support his drug habit. A search warrant obtained by Eyewitness News says the source knew specific details about reported break-ins and thefts and said Mayfield was involved in it all and that all the stolen property would be found at his home. On Monday, police seized hundreds of items -- mostly tools, metals and machinery -- worth $100,000. They also said they found 1.5 grams of meth and a meth pipe. The confidential source said he or she watched Mayfield purchase and consume meth "over 500 separate times," saying Mayfield stole to support his drug habit. Deputies will likely go in front of a grand jury on Monday, hoping to add charges of possessing stolen property.(WSOC) The complete arrest warrant is available on the WSOC website (PDF file).(11-3-2011)

Mayfield appeal tentatively set for Nov. 8: UPDATE: The U.S. Court of Appeals has set a tentative date of Nov. 8 for Jeremy Mayfield's legal challenge to NASCAR's ruling that he tested positive for methamphetamines in May 2009. Attorneys for Mayfield and NASCAR were notified of the tentative Nov. 8 date Wednesday and have until Monday to ask for a different date. The appeal will be heard by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, which is based in Richmond, Va., but will actually conduct the Nov. 8 hearing at the Campbell University School of Law in Raleigh. Typically, a decision comes a few months after the hearing. The three-judge panel will decide whether Mayfield has enough evidence for the case to continue.(Scene Daily)(8-11-2011)
UPDATE: A day after tentatively setting a Nov. 8 hearing date for Jeremy Mayfield's appeal in his case against NASCAR, the U.S. Court of Appeals took the case off that session and said it will set the hearing for another day. The court indicated that Mayfield's appeal was taken off the Nov. 8 session because of "scheduling reasons." It wasn't immediately clear whether it was attorneys for NASCAR or Mayfield who asked for the change.(Scene Daily)(8-12-2011)

NASCAR appeal claims Mayfield trying to avoid responsibility: NASCAR says Jeremy Mayfield's legal appeal to his suspension for a failed drug test is an "attempt to entirely avoid any responsibility for, or consequence from, testing positive for methamphetamine," according to its response filed Monday in federal appeals court. Mayfield, who claims in court documents that his May 2009 drug test was a false positive from a mixture of over-the-counter allergy medication Claritin-D and the prescription medication Adderall for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, is suing NASCAR for breach of contract, unfair trade practices and defamation. U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen ruled in NASCAR's favor in May 2010, and after having requests for Mullen to reconsider the ruling denied, Mayfield filed his appeal last month.(full article at SceneDaily)(4-26-2011)

Mayfield's Dogs Attack Mail Carrier: When a mail carrier tried to deliver a package too big for Jeremy Mayfield's mailbox, she tried to drop it off at the home's front door, but when she went to the house, police say she was attacked by five dogs. The pit bull-lab mix dogs are currently in quarantine at the Catawba County Animal Shelter. Firefighters said it was at former NACSAR driver Jeremy Mayfield's home where mail carrier Mary Bolton was attacked. Firefighters said she was hospitalized with bite marks and cuts all over her legs, arms and shoulders. Neighbors were stunned to hear news of the attack. Police have confirmed that Mayfield came outside to intervene, scooping up the badly injured carrier and taking her back inside the home. The police chief in Catawba said the dogs are being quarantined for ten days because he is not sure they are up to date on rabies shots. No decision has been made yet on what will happen to the dogs or if anyone will face charges.(WSOCtv.com)(4-23-2011)

Mayfield claims NASCAR forced SPEED to edit interview: Jeremy Mayfield accused NASCAR of forcing the SPEED Channel to edit Mayfield's one-on-one interview with Steve Byrnes. Mayfield said, " I had a great interview with the SPEED Channel about a month ago with Steve Byrnes, the best one ever. It was going to be great! I couldn't wait for them to air it. It was honest. From his point of view, he was asking me honest questions that I could answer, he wasn't trying to set me up...everything was great - and then NASCAR gets wind of it. Paul Brooks (from NASCAR) calls the President of the SPEED Channel and says, "If you air this show with Mayfield on it, it's going to jeopardize our relationship." So, they took out everything I said, anything that amounted to anything at all - took it all out and basically made me look like an idiot on TV like I wasn't saying anything."(Captain Thunder)(4-13-2011)

Jeremey Mayfield files appeal: Jeremy Mayfield has reiterated claims that NASCAR Chairman Brian France disliked him and that NASCAR either fabricated the results of a May 2009 drug test or should have known the likelihood of inaccurate results, according to Mayfield's appeal in his long-running federal lawsuit against NASCAR. Filed late Tuesday night with the U.S. Court of Appeals, Mayfield's appeal challenges the May 2010 ruling in favor of NASCAR and asks that the case be re-opened, allowing more time for investigation by the parties and proceeding toward trial. NASCAR has until April 25 to respond to the appeal, and Mayfield will have two weeks to respond to NASCAR's brief. The appeals court - the Fourth Circuit, based in Richmond, Va. - will not hold hearings from June-August, so the earliest the appeals judges would hold a hearing likely is late September, with a decision on the appeal not coming for at least another month.(Scene Daily)(3-24-2011)

Mayfield apologizes to step mother....more: Jeremy Mayfield told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that he apologized to his former stepmother, Lisa Mayfield, because, "it was the right thing to do." The suspended NASCAR driver issued a public apology to Lisa Mayfield Tuesday, settling a slander suit she filed against him in Iredell County, NC, in 2009 after he accused her of complicity in the death of his father two years earlier; a death that has officially been ruled a suicide. "I have previously made statements to the press in which I accused Lisa Mayfield of either murdering my father, Terry Mayfield, or being involved in a conspiracy to murder him," Mayfield wrote. "Those statements were made in the heat of my emotional state at the time. I now retract those statements and apologize to Lisa for having made them." In an exclusive Sirius Speedway interview, Mayfield said he was anxious to set the record straight and bring an end to the litigation involving his former stepmother. "We've been in a legal battle, (but) we got everything straightened out today," he said. "I felt like it was the right thing to do, to put this behind us and move forward; get all this junk out of our lives, keep moving forward and not look back. We wanted to focus on just the NASCAR stuff... and leave all that other junk behind us. That's what we've done."(see full article at Sirius Speedway) and see the official statement by Mayfield at the Charlotte Observer.(2-9-2011)

Mayfield emerges, planning new business venture: Jeremy Mayfield made an appearance on Speed Channel's "Race Hub'' show Tuesday night. It was the first time Mayfield has spoken publicly in a while. With an appeal against NASCAR in the courts, there wasn't much Mayfield could say about his battle with the sanctioning body over his failed drug test in May 2009. Mayfield did say he's looking to start a metal recycling business and talked about maybe doing some dirt racing in the South. Here's more of what Mayfield said on the show in his interview with Steve Byrnes, who noted afterward that there were more questions that Mayfield could not answer because of pending litigation against NASCAR.
On what he's been up to, Mayfield said:
"Little bit of everything. We've been, obviously, in the battle with NASCAR in the court and everybody knows that. As far as personally, taking care of stuff around the house and trying to figure out what I'm going to do next, what direction I'm going in and as far as career-wise, just a lot of things are going on and just trying to make decisions on what we are going to do. For the most part, trying to stay busy around the farm or whatever. Kind of in the process of opening up a new business, kind of like the metal recycling business. Really excited about that. Other than that, just taking it day by day.''
Mayfield's reaction to reaction of fans from those who are on his side to those who aren't:
Mayfield: "I've seen a lot of people with mixed emotions. I didn't want to be a part of this. I'm just letting everybody know that. I didn't want to be in a lawsuit. I didn't want to go out in my career like this. I didn't want any of this happen either.''
You have been a punchline, is it hard for you to sit back and take it?
Mayfield: "Everyday. It was hard for me to come here today and I appreciate you all having me on the show, but it's hard for me to come here because I fight this urge to, I got a lot of things I want to say that I can't obviously because of the litigation because I don't want to get into any more trouble or whatsoever by what I'm saying. It's just hard because when you're in this situation there's a lot of anger now and things that could come out that wouldn't be good for either one of us. It's tough when you walk around everyday and you get the chance to finally tell your side of the story, there's so much more to it that you could tell that would really enlighten a lot of things that you just can't tell.''
Mayfield was asked when will this all be over:
Mayfield: "I don't know. It's probably going to be a long time now because of the appeal process could take a year or a year and a half or whatever. Again, I've come to grips with myself and my wife and our families and we've come to the grips that it's going to be a long time and we'll have to endure that.''
Will you race again?
Mayfield: "I can race. I can't race in NASCAR seriously. I'm thinking real hard about doing some dirt races with a dirt team we're trying to put together. We're not sure yet. I want to race. I'd love to go IndyCar racing if I could do that. I'd love to go drag racing if I could do that. But I want to do it the right way. I don't want to struggle anymore. It's got to be the right situation to do it. I've just been kind of waiting. I just don't know what I want to do yet.''
You've been low profile lately:
Mayfield: "I wish it never happened. I wish I could continue on with what we had going on with the team and still be back in the sport. I'll take it as it comes. All the race fans out there, I miss all my fans, I miss going to the race track. My wife misses traveling also. We just miss the daily deal going on. We'll make it through. It could be worse.''(Virginian Pilot)(2-2-2011)

Mayfield on Race Hub tonight: Jeremy Mayfield, suspended by NASCAR for failing a drug test that NASCAR says was positive for methamphetamines and involved with a lawsuit over the suspension and drug tests, is scheduled to appear on SPEED's NASCAR Race Hub, Tuesday, Feb. 1st. The show is scheduled to air at 7:00pm/et with a 2:00am/et re-air.(2-1-2011)

Mayfield's stepmother says he supplied meth to his father: The father of suspended NASCAR owner/driver Jeremy Mayfield obtained crystal methamphetamines from his son, and when their relationship soured, Jeremy stopped providing the drug for his father, Jeremy's estranged stepmother Lisa Mayfield said in a lawsuit deposition. Jeremy Mayfield, who is also suing Lisa Mayfield for defamation as part of a counterclaim to a slander suit she filed against him, has asserted in documents filed as part of that lawsuit that Lisa Mayfield has lied about his use of methamphetamines. He reiterated that in a statement Monday.(Scene Daily)(1-4-2010)

Mayfield will appeal drug case: Suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield, as expected, will appeal a judge's decision that ruled in favor of NASCAR in his lawsuit over a May 1, 2009, drug test that he says was a false positive for methamphetamines. Mayfield filed the notice of appeal last Thursday in federal court and has 40 days to file the actual argument for his appeal. Depending on how quickly briefs are filed in the case, a hearing could come in May in Richmond, Va., but more than likely it will come no earlier than September. U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen ruled Mayfield had given up his right to sue through various waivers he had signed to compete in NASCAR and questioned whether Mayfield had the evidence to support his claims that NASCAR erred in ruling he tested positive for methamphetamines.(Sporting News)(12-28-2010)

Judge refuses to reopen Mayfield case against NASCAR: Jeremy Mayfield's allegations that NASCAR Chairman Brian France had him black-flagged in the 2006 Brickyard 400 were not enough to sway U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen to reopen Mayfield's lawsuit against the sanctioning body. Mullen issued an order Monday that denied Mayfield's request to reconsider a May ruling in favor of NASCAR that dismissed all of Mayfield's claims. In that May decision, Mullen ruled that Mayfield had given up his right to sue through various waivers he had signed to compete in NASCAR and questioned whether Mayfield had the evidence to support his claims that NASCAR erred in ruling he tested positive for methamphetamines.(in part from SceneDaily)(12-14-2010)

NASCAR, Evernham dispute Mayfield allegation: NASCAR says there is no evidence of a black flag issued to Jeremy Mayfield during the 2006 Brickyard 400 and that Ray Evernham, who owned the team Mayfield drove for at the time, was the one who ordered him to park his car during the race, according to a court filing Wednesday. The filing came in response to Mayfled's claim last week that NASCAR Chairman Brian France had him black-flagged in the race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mayfield made that claim in asking U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen to reconsider a May 2010 ruling that dismissed his lawsuit against NASCAR over a May 1, 2009, drug test that NASCAR says was positive for methamphetamines. The allegation surrounding the 2006 race at Indy comes in part from declarations of France's former in-laws, whom France sued last year when trying to evict them from a home he owned. NASCAR uses Mayfield's 2006 lawsuit against then-team owner Evernham as corroborating evidence that the black-flag story is false. Mayfield filed suit in the days following the Indy race after Evernham fired him. In none of those documents does Mayfield say he was black-flagged by NASCAR. In affidavits filed with NASCAR's response Wednesday, Evernham and then team director (crew chief) Chris Andrews said no one from NASCAR asked them to pull the car from the track. In affidavits filed by Mayfield, both of France's former in-laws say that France, after drinking scotch while in California to be with his pregnant wife during the race, called NASCAR President Mike Helton in the control tower at Indy and asked that Mayfield be black-flagged. When Mayfield got to the pits no NASCAR official ever looked at the car, Mayfield alleges. In its filing Wednesday, NASCAR produced travel records and hotel records indicating that France was in Orlando that day, not California.(Scene Daily)(10-7-2010)

NASCAR wants to dismiss Mayfield countersuit to speed up appeal: NASCAR wants to dismiss its breach-of-contract and fraud claims against Jeremy Mayfield to help speed up the appeal in Mayfield's lawsuit against the sanctioning body over a May 1, 2009, drug test that NASCAR says was positive for methamphetamines. A U.S. District Court judge in Charlotte ruled in May that Mayfield, who has said he did not use methamphetamines, did not have a case against NASCAR and ruled in favor of NASCAR without the case going to trial. Mayfield has been unable to appeal that decision because NASCAR's countersuit - which alleges that by racing while violating the substance-abuse policy, Mayfield breached the contract he signed to compete in NASCAR - is still pending with a trial scheduled for July 2011. NASCAR had asked the court Sept. 10 to suspend the proceedings in its countersuit so an appeals court can rule on the decision to dismiss Mayfield's allegations. But, according to court documents filed by NASCAR on Thursday, Mayfield plans to oppose the suspension of NASCAR's countersuit and Mayfield has asked for a variety of documents and depositions to gather information to support its request. NASCAR has now decided to dismiss its countersuit against Mayfield in order to move the appeals process forward and to avoid additional interrogations and document production.(Scene Daily)(9-24-2010)

Mayfield recounts Chase miracle, talks about future MORE: Jeremy Mayfield's mind was on making a delivery, far away from what's happening in the Sprint Cup Series, as he maneuvered his big truck through the back roads of Georgia. It's part of what Mayfield does these days between planning a comeback in racing and battling NASCAR in court. But Mayfield understands the desperation felt by Ryan Newman, who is 117 points out of the final Chase spot heading into Saturday night's regular-season finale at Richmond International Raceway. He gets it when Jamie McMurray, the next driver back at 128 out, says he can't do anything more than he's done all season. Before Mayfield became NASCAR's poster boy for drug suspensions last season, he was the poster boy for Chase miracles. "The whole week going into it we could have very easily have just said it was over," Mayfield recalled as his cell phone phased in and out. "We knew it was a long shot to make it. But it was just so cool, because we all remained calm and were willing to do what we had to do, and everything fell together. It's what everybody dreams about, where your car is awesome, the calls are good and everything goes your way. It was almost like a miracle happened for you."
Mayfield hasn't kept up much with what has happened this season. Other than knowing there's not much drama heading into this weekend barring a miracle twice the one he had, his focus has been on getting his life back in order. He has a few racing deals in the works, one that could put him in a dirt-track car for some late-season, big-money events and another that could put him in an open-wheel car next season. Mayfield's battle with NASCAR is about to heat up again, too, as he plans an appeal if he loses the lawsuit the governing body has against him. See full story and many quotes by Mayfield at ESPN.com.(9-10-2010)
MORE: NASCAR and Jeremy Mayfield met Wednesday [Sept 8th] in court-ordered mediation and were unable to come to a settlement over their issues surrounding a May 1, 2009, drug test that NASCAR says was positive for methamphetamines, according to a court filing Friday by NASCAR. A U.S. District Court judge in Charlotte ruled in May that Mayfield, who has said he did not use methamphetamines, did not have a case against NASCAR and ruled in favor of NASCAR without the case going to trial. NASCAR's countersuit against Mayfield for fraud and breach of contract is still pending with a trial scheduled for July 2011, and the two sides met in mediation Wednesday. With no settlement, NASCAR has now asked that the court allow Mayfield to file an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals and have that appeal decided before NASCAR's counterclaim proceeds.(in part from SceneDaily)(9-13-2010)

Mayfield vs. NASCAR could continue into 2011: Jeremy Mayfield's quest to make NASCAR pay for what he says was a drug test that was a false positive for methamphetamines likely will stretch well into 2011. Mayfield, whose claims against NASCAR were dismissed by a U.S. District Court judge in May, must first defend himself against a countersuit by NASCAR before appealing the decision to throw out his claims. NASCAR claims that Mayfield breached his contract with NASCAR for competing while in violation of its substance abuse policy.
According to a revised schedule filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Charlotte, motions for summary judgment must be filed by Feb. 4, 2011. Those would have to be ruled on before any trial begins, meaning that it likely will be next spring, at the earliest, before that portion of the case could go to trial. Once a decision on NASCAR's counterclaim is made by either the judge or a jury, the appeals process likely would proceed throughout 2011. Mayfield will meet with NASCAR on Sept. 8 in mediation to try to settle NASCAR's breach-of-contract claim against him. Whether Mayfield could pay any claims is questionable. He has judgments of $874,000 against him and Mayfield Motorsports for unpaid bills and taxes.(in part from SceneDaily)(8-28-2010)

Judge denies Mayfield request to reverse decision: U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen, who in May dismissed Jeremy Mayfield's claims against NASCAR over a May 2009 drug test that NASCAR said was positive for methamphetamines, issued a ruling Thursday denying a request from Mayfield to vacate the decision. Mullen had ruled in May that Mayfield had waived most of his rights to sue NASCAR when he signed the NASCAR-driver agreement and NASCAR-owner agreement. He also indicated that Mayfield did not have enough evidence to support his claims. "Plaintiffs [Mayfield] have repeatedly asserted that they can and will bring viable claims of tortious interference with contractual or business relations, but have yet to state a single example as to how they will do this or submit a proposed amended complaint," the judge wrote in his decision released Thursday. "Plaintiffs maintain in their motion they are 'confident' that they can bring valid claims for tortious interference unrelated to NASCAR's substance abuse policy, yet in their next sentence Plaintiffs state that these 'causes of action must involve implementation of the policy. The logical inconsistencies in Plaintiffs' arguments are further compounded by the fact that they propose no specific amendments to their prior claims and have not shown how any amended complaint would remedy the many other deficiencies that caused the Court to dismiss Plaintiffs' claims. As Plaintiffs have failed to hint at any additional allegations upon which relief could be granted, granting Plaintiffs' leave to amend will be an exercise in futility."(Scene Daily)(8-12-2010)

Mayfield's suit vs. NASCAR dismissed: A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed Jeremy Mayfield's lawsuit against NASCAR, a ruling that presumably ends the yearlong saga surrounding the first Sprint Cup driver suspended for failing a random drug test. U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen in Charlotte, N.C., ruled that Mayfield had twice waived his rights to pursue any claims against NASCAR when he signed documents both as a driver and as an owner to participate in the stock car series. "Plaintiffs thereby waived their right to pursue their claims for defamation, unfair and deceptive trade practices, breach of contract, and negligence," Mullen wrote in his decision. "Plaintiffs' claims are hereby dismissed."
"The U.S. District Court's ruling is a powerful acknowledgement and affirmation of NASCAR's rulebook and its ability to police the sport," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said in a statement. "NASCAR has been very clear with its competitors as to its policies and what is expected of them." Mayfield's wife, Shana, said the couple had no comment on the ruling, which can be appealed only after NASCAR's suit against Mayfield is resolved. She said attorney Mark Geragos would speak on their behalf. Geragos' voice mailbox was full, and he did not immediately respond to an e-mail request for comment. Mullen's ruling Tuesday was in response to a motion NASCAR made last November to dismiss the suit based on pleadings already submitted. There was no hearing.(ESPN)(5-18-2010)
NASCAR Statement on Dismissal of Mayfield Suit: "The U.S. District Court's ruling is a powerful acknowledgement and affirmation of NASCAR's rulebook and its ability to police the sport. NASCAR has been very clear with its competitors as to its policies and what is expected of them. NASCAR's comprehensive substance abuse policy, which is among the best and toughest in all of sports, serves the safety of our competitors and fans." Ramsey Poston, NASCAR Public Relations.(5-18-2010)

IRS files lien against Mayfield: Jeremy Mayfield's lawsuit against NASCAR isn't his only legal issue, and if NASCAR seems like a giant to go up against, Mayfield has two even bigger entities taking action against him: The Internal Revenue Service and the North Carolina Department of Revenue. The IRS has filed a lien on property owned by Mayfield and his wife, Shana, for unpaid income taxes totaling $231,139 - $214,108 for 2008 and $17,031 for 2006. The North Carolina Department of Revenue filed a delinquent income tax notice with Mayfield for $65,932 - $62,379 for 2008 and $3,553 for 2006. The unpaid taxes were listed at $56,430 with a total of $10,502 in fines and fees. The tax documents were filed in North Carolina Superior Court in Newton, N.C. The IRS lien was filed March 29, while the North Carolina tax notice was filed Feb. 15.(Scene Daily)(4-7-2010)

Mayfield lawsuit to remain in federal court: Jeremy Mayfield's lawsuit against NASCAR will remain in federal court, U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen ruled Tuesday. The case, stemming from a drug test last May that NASCAR says was a positive for methamphetamine but Mayfield says was a mix of over-the-counter and prescription medication, has been at a virtual standstill since January in order to resolve jurisdictional issues. Now that Mullen has ruled that he has jurisdiction in the case, he can now make decisions on disputes over discovery issues as well as a NASCAR motion to decide the case based on pleadings without any additional discovery. A trial in the case would not begin until Sept. 13 at the earliest.(Scene Daily)(4-6-2010)

Mayfield's stepmother wants to depose reporter: Jeremy Mayfield's stepmother wants deposition from ESPN reporter in lawsuit against her son. Lisa Mayfield's attorney wants to take a deposition from ESPN.com reporter David Newton in her defamation lawsuit against her estranged stepson, NASCAR driver and former team owner Jeremy Mayfield. Lisa Mayfield had to ask the court for approval to take the deposition out of state in the case, which was filed last July in North Carolina Superior Court. "ESPN reporter David Newton and ESPN are essential and material witnesses to the facts and circumstances involved in this cause of action," Lisa Mayfield's attorney wrote in the request to take the deposition in Connecticut, where ESPN is based. An ESPN spokesman said the network has not been served with a subpoena in the case and therefore had no comment.(Scene Daily)

Mayfield's files motion to move case; for NASCAR to pay attorney fees: There's a lot of politicking going on in Jeremy Mayfield's case against NASCAR and both sides recently filed court documents hoping to sway the judge on an upcoming decision that could be pivotal. Included in those documents is a motion by Mayfield's side to move the case back to state court and for NASCAR to pay for Mayfield's attorney fees that were related to this issue alone. Based on court documents, Mayfield's attorney fees were listed at nearly $70,000 on just this issue. NASCAR filed paperwork that the case remain in federal court. Remember that Mayfield's former attorney, Bill Diehl, filed a lawsuit in November claiming that Mayfield owed Diehl's law firm at least $371,973.66, plus attorney fees, interest and late charges. Diehl's firm represented Mayfield from May until October when Mayfield hired attorney Mark Geragos.
Earlier this month, an evidentiary hearing was held in U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen's court room. At issue is where is NASCAR Chairman Brian France's residence. Judge Mullen has not yet issued his decision. For this case (remember this is about Mayfield challenging NASCAR over a failed drug test) to be in federal court, both parties have to be from different states. Mayfield claims residency in North Carolina and France claimed it in Florida. In the motion on behalf of Mayfield, his side said that along with the case being moved back to state court, NASCAR should pay Mayfield's just costs and actual expenses, including attorney fees as a result of Defendant's removal ... i.e. what it cost Mayfield in attorney fees and such in fighting this issue (this is not for the total in attorney fees Mayfield has racked up).
Based on that, this is what Mayfield's attorneys listed as its fees to Mayfield. Mark Geragos stated that through Feb. 18, his firm had devoted approximately 33 hours of attorney time at a charge of $29,800. Geragos stated he had spent 15.8 hours on the case at a rate of $1,000 an hour. Another attorney at his firm had spent 28 hours on the case at a cost of $500 an hour. Geragos also stated that his firm had incurred total expenses of $7,971.35 in connection with the jurisdictional issues in this case.
Attorney Daniel Marino stated that his firm had devoted approximately 150 hours at a cost of $35,760 in attorney fees to the jurisdictional issues presented in this case. Marino listed his billing rate at $550 per hour for 26.8 hours. An associate who also worked on the case for 12.7 hours has a billing rate of $350 and a law clerk who worked on the case for 110.5 hours has a billing rate of $150 an hour. That added up to $35,760. Marino also stated that his firm had incurred total expenses of $1,147.50 in connection with the jurisdictional issues in this case, all of which reflect travel expenses related to the Feb. 4 evidentiary hearing.
Attorney James Maxwell also worked on the case for Mayfield with a billing rate of $350 an hour for 10.75 hours. A paralegal worked on the case at a billing rate of $100 an hour for 1.7 hours. For a total of $3.932.50. Also the firm incurred $146 in jurisdictional costs related to the Feb. 4 hearing.(Virginian Pilot)(2-21-2010)

Latest on Mayfield vs. NASCAR lawsuit: U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen says the battle between Jeremy Mayfield and NASCAR over access to the suspended driver's medical records will have to wait until he can resolve jurisdictional issues, but in the meantime, Mayfield says life remains "as good as it can be." During a 15-minute court hearing Thursday, Mullen said he expects NASCAR Chairman Brian France will have to testify before him over whether his residence for jurisdictional purposes is North Carolina or Florida. If Mullen determines that France is a resident of North Carolina, he could rule that North Carolina Superior Court has jurisdiction and not federal court. "Until that's resolved, anything the court does is subject to review later if the court doesn't have jurisdiction," Mullen said during the hearing. Mayfield attorney Daniel Marino declined to comment on the issues afterward, and Mayfield wouldn't talk about the specifics of the case. Mayfield contends that a May 1 drug test that NASCAR says showed positive readings for methamphentaines resulted from his taking a prescription drug to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and an over-the-counter allergy medicine. He also questions the procedures NASCAR used in determining the results. "I've just been trying to survive, just like anybody else," said Mayfield, who has had an auction on his property in November to help raise money. "We haven't sold our house so far [at auction]. It remains as good as it can be."
"Everyone wants to resolve litigation as soon as possible," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said. "We will continue to work with the other side, make our case and hope we can expedite this as quickly as possible." Poston also said it is possible that there could be some changes to NASCAR's substance-abuse policy this season. "Any of those changes, if we have any, we'll announce those as the new season begins," Poston said. "This is the part of the season where we're finalizing our [policies]. ... We will always update policies and procedures any time there is an opportunity to improve them. I don't think you're going to see anything radical."(SceneDaily)(1-8-2010)

Mayfield says NASCAR's conduct was intentional and reckless: Attorneys for suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield say NASCAR is trying to ignore issues raised by him and is attempting to distort Mayfield's claims in an effort to avoid responsibility for its actions. Mayfield's legal team filed the response late Monday to NASCAR's request that U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen rule in favor of the sanctioning body based on the pleadings already held and without the continuation of an investigation by the attorneys and possibly a trial. Mayfield's filing argues that he has shown enough evidence to bring these claims:
• In response to NASCAR's assertion that he has waived his right to sue because of waivers that are part of the NASCAR-driver agreement, Mayfield stated that those releases don't hold up because this is a case where NASCAR was grossly negligent in conducting its drug-testing policy.
• In its defamation claim, Mayfield disputed the NASCAR assertion that sanctioning body Chairman Brian France had no reason to doubt the test results so his comments when suspending Mayfield cannot be considered defamation. Mayfield alleges that France and Black should have known that the combination of Adderall and Claritin-D could result in a false positive for methamphetamine use.
• NASCAR stated in its request that Mayfield is not an employee but an independent contractor and therefore cannot be considered to having been discriminated against for having ADHD. Mayfield stated in the filing Monday that he can be considered an employee in this situation because NASCAR retained the right to control and detail his activities on the race track, had promotional rights to his name, owned the broadcast rights, required where logos were placed and specified media obligations.
• Addressing the charge of unfair and deceptive trade practices, Mayfield argued the fact that there is no definitive list of drugs banned by NASCAR as among the reasons its policies are unfair.
Both sides get to file responses one more time before the judge considers the motion to dismiss Mayfield's case.(SceneDaily)(12-8-2009)

NASCAR-Mayfield case to continue: A U.S. District Court judge has turned down NASCAR's request to halt the pre-trial discovery phase in a lawsuit brought against the sanctioning body by suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield. NASCAR had asked for the suspension of the investigative phase of the case until a judge can rule on a NASCAR motion for a judgment based on pleadings already submitted. The decision, issued Monday by U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen, means that depositions and production of documents will not be delayed because of the NASCAR request. The judge still needs to rule on the motion for judgment itself. In another ruling issued Monday, the judge set the date for a deposition of NASCAR Chairman Brian France for Jan. 19. The judge also ruled as moot requests by NASCAR and France's ex-wife Megan France, that they not be forced to produce documents under seal in litigation between her and Brian because Mayfield's attorneys indicated they would not seek those documents. He did grant a motion stipulating that in Megan France's deposition, she cannot be asked about the documents in that lawsuit or about the divorce agreement (SceneDaily). See past news on the lawsuitre and suspension on the #41 Team News and Links page and Drug Policy page.(12-8-2009)

Brian France submits primary residence documents in Mayfield case: NASCAR Chairman Brian France has submitted a copy of his Florida driver's license, two Florida vehicle registrations, a copy of his voting record in Florida and a copy of his 2008 federal tax return in an effort to prove to the U.S. District Court that his primary state citizenship is in Florida. The documents were submitted Tuesday in response to a court filing on behalf of suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield that claims that France misrepresented his primary residence to have the suspended driver's lawsuit moved to federal court and delay an injunction hearing. The documents are heavily edited to just show that France lived in Daytona Beach. The location of France's primary residence became an issue in the lawsuit filed by Mayfield, who was suspended by NASCAR for a May 1 drug test that NASCAR says was positive for methamphetamines. Mayfield contends that the positive finding resulted from his taking a prescription drug to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and an over-the-counter allergy medicine. He also questions the procedures NASCAR used in determining the results.(in part from SceneDaily)(12-2-2009)

Lawyer files suit against Mayfield: Attorney Bill Diehl filed a lawsuit Wednesday against suspended Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield for unpaid legal fees. According to the lawsuit, filed in Mecklenburg County, N.C., Mayfield owes Diehl's Charlotte-based law firm at least $371,973.66, plus attorney fees, interest and late charges. Mayfield hired Diehl in May shortly after being indefinitely suspended by NASCAR for violating the organization's substance abuse policy. It was revealed in court that Mayfield tested positive for the illegal drug methamphetamines. Mayfield left Diehl in October and hired attorney Mark Geragos. The suit claims that Diehl's repeated attempts to collect payment from Mayfield were ignored. Diehl, who makes $1,000 an hour, told ESPN.com last month at Talladega Superspeedway that he hadn't been paid.(ESPN)(11-26-2009)

Injunction dropped at Mayfield's request: The U.S. District Court judge who initially granted an injunction that lifted driver Jeremy Mayfield's suspension for what NASCAR says was a May 1 drug test that was positive for methamphetamines has rescinded the injunction at Mayfield's request. U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen vacated the injunction in a three-sentence ruling Monday. Mayfield never did get back on the track after obtaining the July 1 injunction that lifted his May 9 suspension. The U.S. Court of Appeals granted NASCAR's request for a stay of the injunction July 24, and Mayfield has been suspended since then and has sold his team. Mayfield then requested that the injunction be permanently dropped so the case can move quickly. The earliest a trial would be is September 2010, and the only consequence for not having the injunction is that Mayfield would not be able to race in NASCAR until a decision is made at trial. Last week, NASCAR filed a motion it hopes will end Mayfield's lawsuit by asking Mullen to rule on the filings instead of there being more investigation into the issues. Mayfield has yet to file a response to that motion, but his attorney has called that motion a desperate move.(SceneDaily)(11-24-2009)

NASCAR asks judge to make ruling on Mayfield case: The legal jockeying in the Jeremy Mayfield-NASCAR case continued Tuesday as the sanctioning body requested that U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen should rule in its favor based on the pleadings that already have been filed and without the two sides continuing to investigate the issues. NASCAR filed its motion Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Charlotte.(see full story at SceneDaily)(11-18-2009)

Injunction dropped at Mayfield's request: The U.S. District Court judge who initially granted an injunction that lifted driver Jeremy Mayfield's suspension for what NASCAR says was a May 1 drug test that was positive for methamphetamines has rescinded the injunction at Mayfield's request. U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen vacated the injunction in a three-sentence ruling Monday. Mayfield never did get back on the track after obtaining the July 1 injunction that lifted his May 9 suspension. The U.S. Court of Appeals granted NASCAR's request for a stay of the injunction July 24, and Mayfield has been suspended since then and has sold his team. Mayfield then requested that the injunction be permanently dropped so the case can move quickly. The earliest a trial would be is September 2010, and the only consequence for not having the injunction is that Mayfield would not be able to race in NASCAR until a decision is made at trial. Last week, NASCAR filed a motion it hopes will end Mayfield's lawsuit by asking Mullen to rule on the filings instead of there being more investigation into the issues. Mayfield has yet to file a response to that motion, but his attorney has called that motion a desperate move.(SceneDaily)(11-24-2009)

Mayfield attorney says he's owed money: Charlotte-based attorney Bill Diehl says suspended Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield hasn't paid him for services. Mayfield recently replaced Diehl and his firm with celebrity lawyer Mark Geragos. Diehl said the driver owes him "a lot" for defending him in his lawsuit against NASCAR. Mayfield brought suit against the governing body after being suspended indefinitely for violating NASCAR's substance abuse policy. Court documents have since revealed he tested positive for methamphetamines. Diehl wished Mayfield luck with his case, but said, "I'm going to get paid." Diehl, whose fee is $1,000 per hour, said he doesn't believe Mayfield is as financially strapped as has been reported. He said his firm has asked to be paid and will seek legal action if this doesn't happen. Diehl would not say how much Mayfield owes him, but said, "We worked very hard."(ESPN.com)(11-2-2009)

Mayfield holding auction: Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield is selling items worth about $5 million on the auction block next month [November 20th] as part of a favorite hobby of the N.C. resident. During the past year, the former driver has faced a swarm of controversy, including alleged drug abuse and a suspension from NASCAR. But the auction isn't because Mayfield is on hard times - he says his auction is an annual tradition on the farm. "I think this is going to be huge because we've got so much different stuff," said Mayfield. "Got some land involved in it, heavy equipment, tools... it should be fun. It's all I do all the time is try to find the nearest auction around, just trying to get a deal and just trying to outbid somebody. It's kind of competitive and sometimes I've ended up with stuff I didn't want just cause I got excited and started to bid against somebody." The auction includes 475 acres of land, a home under renovation, jewelry, guns and cars from Mayfield's personal collection. "He has a good fan base and I believe the fans will come out and support him during auction," said Will Lilly of Iron Horse Auction Co.(news14.com)(10-30-2009)

Mayfield on ESPN's Outside the Lines Sunday: Suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield tells reporter Steve Delsohn, in Mayfield's first one-on-one nationally televised interview, that NASCAR is using his situation to scare the sport's marquee drivers who he says use drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine. The interview airs on Outside the Lines on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 9:00am/et on ESPN.
Some quotes from Outside the Lines: "I wish I could sit here and say 'No, it's not over,' but realistically, I would have to have a sponsor, or own my own team, or find a ride, and all those are virtually impossible with the baggage that comes along with me now." -- Jeremy Mayfield, on whether his NASCAR career is over.
"No, they could never be confused for methamphetamine in a confirmation." -- Dr. Anthony Butch, director of the UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory, which performs drug testing for U.S. Olympic athletes, the NFL and the NCAA, on whether a combination of Adderall and Claritin-D could cause a positive test for methamphetamine.
"You use me as an example to let everybody know who may have already tested positive for marijuana, cocaine or whatever, that they haven't got anybody for, and it puts the fear of God in everybody in the whole sport. I was a good example, a good pawn who wasn't going to cost them any money at all. I was worth more to them as a failed drug test then I am as a driver, owner for my own team." - Jeremy Mayfield.(ESPN)10-23-2009)

Judge denies NASCAR request for rebuke of former Mayfield attorney: A U.S. District Court judge has ruled against NASCAR's request to sanction a former attorney for suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield for an affidavit that misrepresented the background of a Texas drug-testing laboratory operator. Judge Graham Mullen in Charlotte also denied NASCAR's request for Mayfield to pay for the sanctioning body's defense against assertions tied to the affidavit. The affidavit was from Harvey MacFenerstein, who has said there were mistakes in his credentials and is no longer being used by the Mayfield legal team. In his ruling Tuesday on the circumstance surrounding the submission of that affidavit, Judge Mullen said [former Mayfield attorney John] Buric probed MacFenerstein's qualifications, had reason to believe the qualifications MacFenerstein claimed to have were correct and his editorial oversight on whether MacFenerstein was a medical review officer was likely inadvertent and not serious enough for sanctions. The decision Tuesday does not impact the case schedule.(SceneDaily)(10-7-2009)

Mayfield set to hire high-profile attorney: Suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield is turning to high-profile attorney Mark Geragos to help fight his drug suspension. Geragos confirmed to The Associated Press on Friday night that he's finalizing a deal to represent Mayfield himself out of his Washington, D.C.-based firm Luque Geragos and Marino. "It's clear to me that there are real issues here, substantial issues, and I think he's getting a raw deal," Geragos said. Geragos declined to discuss specific issues until he could review the case, citing a protective order that U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen has in place. Mayfield has been suspended since failing a May 1 random drug test. NASCAR says he tested positive for methamphetamines, and the driver has denied using the illegal drug. Mayfield sued to have his suspension lifted, and NASCAR countersued.(Associated Press)(10-3-2009)

NASCAR asks for evaluations of Mayfield: NASCAR asked a federal judge Monday to order a mental and physical examination on suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield to determine if he has a substance-abuse problem and/or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The filing in U.S. District Court includes three affidavits and one deposition from four different people who claim to have witnessed Mayfield using methamphetamines multiple times since 1999. NASCAR asked U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen to order Mayfield to report for a psychiatric, neuropsychological and physical examination in November. NASCAR selected the physicians it wants to examine Mayfield. Mayfield did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.(full story at the Associated Press)(9-22-2009)

Mayfield believes he's a scapegoat: Jeremy Mayfield believes NASCAR is using him as an example. Mayfield was suspended by NASCAR on May 9 after testing positive for methamphetamines, a violation of the substance abuse policy. He spoke to ESPN's "Outside The Lines" on Wednesday. "[NASCAR wants to] get the message back to other drivers in the sport," Mayfield said. "To put the fear of God into them. To scare the other drivers. And crew members and everybody out there. I think it killed two or three birds with one stone there with the policy. And it put the fear of God in other people and other drivers who have tested positive that they didn't put in this situation." Mayfield filed a lawsuit against NASCAR. It is set to be heard in a trial jury beginning on Sept. 13, 2010. Mayfield contends he did not take methamphetamines and is seeking to be fully reinstated. He also is seeking damages. Mayfield said NASCAR banned him to scare other drivers who have tested positive. "This was sending a message to them saying, 'You better straighten your act up', without putting them through what they put me through," Mayfield said. NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston responded with this statement: "The facts are clear and now recognized by the court, that Jeremy tested positive twice for methamphetamines. He was offered the chance to undergo the road to recovery but chose to go the legal route."(ESPN)(9-11-2009)

Mayfield files wrongful death lawsuit against stepmother: Suspended NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against his stepmother, Lisa Mayfield, over the death of his father two years ago. Terry Mayfield died Sept. 5, 2007, in what police investigators and the medical examiner concluded was a suicidal gunshot wound to the chest, according to investigation and medical examiner reports. Jeremy Mayfield's lawsuit, filed late Friday afternoon in North Carolina Superior Court in Rowan County, does not say how Lisa Mayfield was involved in the death of Terry. It only says that "as a direct and proximate result of the defendant's intentional acts, the decedent Terry Allen Mayfield was killed by a gunshot wound." Jeremy Mayfield claims that prior to Terry Mayfield's death, Terry confronted Lisa about an affair and asked her to leave. Within several days of Terry's death, Jeremy claims the man Lisa was having an affair with broke up with his girlfriend and moved in with Lisa. It also claims that Lisa Mayfield squandered a loan meant to be used to build a barn.(SceneDaily)(9-8-2009)

Mayfield sued over engine bill: Suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield is being sued by Arrington Manufacturing for $71,000 in unpaid engine bills for four events, according to a complaint filed last week in North Carolina Superior Court in Newton, N.C. Arrington provided engines for Mayfield Motorsports for the Sprint Cup races at Phoenix, Talladega, Richmond, Darlington, and Charlotte as well as the Sprint Showdown race that preceded the all-star event. Prior to each event, Mayfield and Arrington Manufacturing agreed on a price, according to the complaint. The price was based on how many miles were actually put on the motor. Mayfield paid the engine costs for Phoenix and Talladega - he did not qualify for Phoenix but ran nearly the entire Talladega race before an accident ended his day 11 laps short of the finish. He has not paid for the other four events, according to the complaint. He completed 371 laps at Richmond, failed to qualify at Darlington, and then J.J. Yeley completed all 40 laps of the Sprint Showdown and did not qualify for Charlotte. Arrington Manufacturing is asking for the $71,000 plus attorneys' fees. Mayfield and Mayfield Motorsports are listed as the defendants. Mayfield also is being sued by Triad Racing Technologies for unpaid bills of $86,304.(SceneDaily)(9-7-2009)

Judge denies request to lift injuction on Mayfield: U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen has denied NASCAR's request to permanently lift the injunction he issued July 1 that had allowed suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield to race. Mullen released his decision Tuesday, a decision he made on procedural grounds because NASCAR had already filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals, which ordered a stay on the injunction July 24 until the appeal could be heard. A hearing on the appeal is not expected until at least October, and Mayfield is suspended until the appeal can be decided. Because NASCAR had filed an appeal, Mullen said he has lost jurisdiction as far as the injunction. Mullen did state in the order issued Tuesday that because of new factual developments in the case and a new preliminary injunction standard recently introduced by the U.S. Court of Appeals, he would have been inclined to grant NASCAR's request. In Mullen's court, the lawsuit is proceeding into the investigation and trial phase, with a trial scheduled to start no earlier than September 2010.(SceneDaily)(9-2-2009)

Final brief filed Mayfield injunction case: Jeremy Mayfield's legal team has filed its final reply brief in arguing against NASCAR's request that U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen, in light of a disputed July 6 drug test, reconsider his injunction that lifted Mayfield's suspension centering around his May 1 drug test. NASCAR suspended Mayfield for a May 1 drug test that it says showed a positive result for methamphetamines. Mayfield claims the test resulted in a false positive reading created by the prescription drug Adderall, which is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and the allergy medication Claritin-D. Mayfield obtained an injunction from Mullen on July 1 to keep NASCAR from enforcing the initial suspension. Since then, NASCAR has gotten that injunction put on hold - leaving Mayfield suspended - by the U.S. Court of Appeals until the appeals court can hear arguments on the matter, a process that likely will last until at least October. Mayfield's filing Tuesday mainly focuses on the legal precedent on why Mullen should not rescinded the injunction. Mayfield's lawyers also argue that NASCAR expert Mace Beckson contradicts NASCAR's contention that Mayfield poses a danger to fans since Beckson indicates that no absolute conclusion about a person's medical condition can be based solely on a drug test. There is no deadline for Mullen to rule on NASCAR's request to have the injunction rescinded.(SceneDaily)(8-20-2009)

Police called to Mayfield house UPDATE: Catawba [NC] Police have confirmed that they were called to NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield's home for a trespassing call on Saturday. Now, Jeremy Mayfield and his wife confirm to NewsChannel 36 that trespasser is Mayfield's former stepmother, Lisa Mayfield. He and his wife say Lisa Mayfield was drunk, banging on their door, and they claim she even threatened to kill them. This is just the latest chapter in the saga between Mayfield and his former step-mother with whom he has been trading insults and lawsuits for the past few months. Lisa Mayfield has sued the race car driver for slander. Mayfield, on the other hand, tells NewsChannel 36 he is putting the finishing touches on his wrongful death lawsuit against his step mother. Mayfield has said publicly he doesn't believe his father committed suicide, as is listed in a 2007 police report, but that he believes his step mother had something to do with this.(wcnc.com)(8-16-2009)
UPDATE: The wife of Jeremy Mayfield on Tuesday took out a restraining order against her husband's stepmother and principal witness for NASCAR's case against the suspended Sprint Cup driver. Shana Mayfield filed the request at the Iredell County sheriff's department. "She will be served as soon as they can find her," Shana told ESPN.com. The order was sought three days after Lisa Mayfield showed up intoxicated at her stepson's home Saturday night and arrested on four counts of simple assault and for trespassing. According to the arrest warrant, Lisa physically confronted the husband and wife caretakers living on the property, their daughter and her boyfriend. She is scheduled for trial on Sept. 14. "[She] told our caretakers she would come back to kill us, she wasn't done," Shana said.(ESPN)(8-18-2009)

Mayfield sued by stepmother: Lisa Mayfield is seeking damages against her stepson, suspended Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield, for public comments he made in regard to his civil case against NASCAR, according to court documents. Lisa Mayfield is seeking compensatory damages in excess of $10,000, punitive damages in excess of $10,000 and any other "relief as the court may deem just and proper." The complaint was filed Wednesday in the Iredell County Civil court in Statesville.(read the full story at ESPN.com)(7-29-2009)

Mayfield vs. NASCAR Trial date - Sept 2010: Jeremy Mayfield's lawsuit against NASCAR has been set to be heard in a trial jury beginning on Sept. 13, 2010, according to court documents filed on Tuesday. The date was ordered by U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen. Mayfield was suspended by NASCAR on May 9 after testing positive for methamphetamines, a violation of the substance abuse policy. The suspension was lifted by Mullen in June, but reinstated by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals last week. Mayfield contends he did not take methamphetamines and is seeking to be fully reinstated. He also is seeking damages. In its most recent filing seeking that the suspension be permanent as long as the case is pending, NASCAR said it has several witnesses willing to testify that Mayfield took methamphetamines. Attorneys already have filed an affidavit from Mayfield's stepmother saying Mayfield has taken amphetamines since 1998.(ESPN)(7-29-2009)

NASCAR says Mayfield lied to federal court: NASCAR accused Jeremy Mayfield of lying to a federal court about the chronology of a second random drug test, offering to provide an audio tape of the conversation in which Mayfield was told to submit a sample. The driver says the telephone call went to voicemail. The accusation came Monday in court filings that ask U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen to lift the July 1 injunction he granted Mayfield so he could return to racing. NASCAR disputed the sworn testimony Mayfield provided to U.S. District Court last week, including the assertion that a July 6 request for a second drug test went to his voicemail at 1:18 p.m. He said he didn't get the message until about 40 minutes later, making it difficult for him to meet the two-hour deadline to report for testing. NASCAR has asked Mullen to reverse the injunction based on new evidence - the failed July 6 test, and sworn testimony from Mayfield's estranged stepmother that she witnessed him using meth at least 30 times over the years.(see full AP story)
AND NASCAR filed court documents Monday stating that the sanctioning body has several witnesses to Jeremy Mayfield's alleged drug use, but that they are hesitant to come forward after Mayfield's comments about his stepmother.(more at SceneDaily)(7-28-2009)

Carter buys Mayfield's team UPDATE: Tony Furr, Jeremy Mayfield's long-time crew chief, says that Mayfield has sold his [#41] team [hauler and cars] to Georgia businessman, John Carter, who has been in racing for a while [the #08 Carter Simo Racing team], and Furr says he expected Labonte to run the rest of the season with the team, in as many races as it can make. Furr says the team will continue running out of Mayfield's old shop. Furr is overseeing the operation, and said Friday morning Mayfield may well be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway sometime this weekend. However NASCAR won a legal appeal Friday afternoon in the U.S. 4th circuit court of appeals that should put Mayfield back on suspension. The latest legal move, in NASCAR's favor, would apparently put Mayfield back on suspension, until the court case itself can be resolved. And that case might not get going for several months."John Carter owns it, bought it from Jeremy," Furr says. "I haven't talked with Jeremy in about a week so I don't know if he'll be here. Terry is going to run the car wherever we run it, and we may run it the rest of the year, don't know yet." Toyota's Joey Arrington is doing the motors; Jeremy Lafave is the crew chief. Furr says he himself "is mainly a consultant."(MikeMulhern.net), also as announced a few weeks ago, Boris Said is scheduled to run some races in the #08, running a Ford with Frankie Stoddard as the crew chief, supposedly at Watkins Glen and Talladega. No word if Mayfield's #41 team owner race attempts (12 attempts) and owners points transferred over to the #08 team.(7-24-2009)
UPDATE: Suspended Sprint Cup owner/driver Jeremy Mayfield has sold his hauler and inventory of cars and parts to John Carter, who plans to compete in as many races as he can the rest of the season. Carter said the deal included six cars, including one Terry Labonte ran in Sunday's race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Labonte has agreed to drive in five races -- Indianapolis, Michigan, Bristol, Atlanta and Charlotte -- and could drive in more if sponsorship is available. Carter will run the team out of his shop in Tacoa, Ga., and the shop Mayfield rented in the Charlotte, N.C., area. Four of Mayfield's crew members, including crew chief Tony Furr, are now employed by Carter. The deal did not include an opportunity or Mayfield to drive for Carter if cleared. "That wasn't even discussed,'' Carter said.(ESPN)(7-26-2009)

Mayfield's hair may be tested: The back and forth between NASCAR and driver Jeremy Mayfield over drug allegations has gotten so bad that in Mayfield's latest statement he describes the humiliation of having to go to the bathroom while someone watched. So what could bring it all to an end? It turns out it could come down to a piece of hair. "It's like the bully in school," Jeremy Mayfield told NewsChannel 36 last week. "Every three to five days I go get tested." Who ends up in victory lane may come down to the difference between urinating in a cup and pulling a hair. "The drug that is incorporated into your hair -- it stays there. You get a record, basically, of drug use with the hair," said Dr. Ruth Winecker, the chief toxicologist for the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office. She says there's no messing with hair. But no one has tested Mayfield's hair, just his urine samples. "There are techniques people can use to try to cheat the system," Winecker said. That's exactly what both sides have accused each other of doing. NASCAR says Mayfield diluted his urine even before testing positive for meth, and Mayfield says NASCAR did something to his urine. NewsChannel 36 asked Mayfield's attorney if they'll be testing his hair as the judge in the case suggested several weeks ago. Attorney John Buric told us they are looking at the possibility, but right now they have been told Mayfield's hair is too short.(NewsChannel 36)(7-23-2009)

Mayfield working on 'big' sponsor deal, seeking ride: Jeremy Mayfield, who says he's "80% there" on getting a major sponsorship deal that might enable him to once again drive in the Sprint Cup Series, isn't on the entry list for Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. But that doesn't mean he won't be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend. Mayfield spoke by phone Tuesday morning, prior to meeting his legal team to discuss his ongoing court battle over NASCAR suspending him from competition as either an owner or a driver as of May 9, due to a positive result for methamphetamine in a random drug test taken May 1 at Richmond International Raceway. "I'd like to come to Indy just to come watch, and to try to get a ride," Mayfield said. "We're working on sponsorship deals as we speak and I'm telling you, if this works out, it's going to be big. And what's funny is, it could be big in all kinds of different ways, and all I needed was [NASCAR's] support, and to work with me on this. They could have had races sponsored and tracks sponsored and I could have been with one of their big teams with a big sponsor and I guess they don't want that, because I didn't need them to get it." NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said that he is "unfamiliar with the possible sponsor opportunity" that Mayfield references. Yet, Mayfield's description of the company he's talking to was vivid. "Sounds like a union, doesn't it?" Mayfield said. "Imagine if they got involved, and they're behind me 200 percent right now. America's not about a dictatorship no more and it never was."(NASCAR.com)(7-23-2009)

Mayfield Attorneys: NASCAR hasn't proved case: UPDATE: Attorneys for Jeremy Mayfield filed papers on Monday arguing NASCAR has not shown sufficient reason that the court should overturn the decision to lift the Sprint Cup driver's suspension for violating the substance-abuse policy. The papers filed in U.S. District Court are a counter to NASCAR's request on Wednesday asking for an immediate stay of the injunction after Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamine for a second time. The counterclaim did not address the second test. Mayfield has since claimed the governing body spiked the July 6 test to get the desired results. His attorney, John Buric, released results of another test taken on the same day but performed by LabCorp, an independent laboratory not hired by NASCAR, that came up negative for methamphetamines and amphetamines. NASCAR officials argue that the LabCorp test should not be recognized because there is no evidence that the sample is legitimate or that proper procedure was used. Asked for specifics about the test, such as whether Mayfield was directly observed giving the sample, Bill Bonello of LabCorp said, "LabCorp does not comment on drug testing results."(see full story ESPN)(7-21-2009)
UPDATE: An independent drug test on Jeremy Mayfield was negative for methamphetamines, contradicting the results of a NASCAR test taken 40 minutes earlier, the driver claimed in court documents filed Tuesday. In response to NASCAR's claim that Mayfield again tested positive for methamphetamines on July 6, Mayfield submitted an affidavit to the U.S. District Court that said he traveled to Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, N.C., right after NASCAR collected a sample at his Catawba County home. In a room he described as "very sterile," Mayfield said he emptied his pockets, washed his hands and was ushered into a bathroom, where he provided another urine sample. Mayfield said in the court filing he received confirmation from Laboratory Corporation of America in Raleigh, N.C., that his sample was negative on July 10 - the same day NASCAR informed his counsel that its sample was positive. Dr. Harold Schueler of the Broward County (Fla.) Medical Examiner's Office, filed an affidavit on behalf of Mayfield that claimed the levels of methamphetamine in NASCAR's test are "astronomical" and "could not be remotely accurate, unless Mr. Mayfield was deceased or a chronic abuser." (Associated Press)(7-22-2009)

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