France: Drug policy thorough, fair
Friday, Jul. 03, 2009
Getty Images for NASCAR
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 03: NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France speaks to the media regarding his mid-season NASCAR address prior to qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 3, 2009 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Getty Images for NASCAR
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 03: NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France speaks to the media regarding his mid-season NASCAR address prior to qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 3, 2009 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
AP
NASCAR Chairman and CEO, Brian France answers questions at a news conference at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2009.(AP Photo/Terry Renna)
AP
NASCAR Chairman and CEO, Brian France answers questions at a news conference at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2009.(AP Photo/Terry Renna)
AP
NASCAR Chairman and CEO, Brian France answers questions at a news conference at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2009.(AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - NASCAR Chairman Brian France said Friday the sanctioning body's substance-abuse policy was "thorough, accurate and fair."
Officials will continue to do what they believe is best to protect the safety of drivers, officials and fans, he said.
"We will be defending this policy very vigorously," France said, in reference to a court battle that is expected to continue between NASCAR and owner/driver Jeremy Mayfield.
NASCAR suspended Mayfield indefinitely May 9 after he tested positive for methamphetamine.
On Wednesday, a federal judge in Charlotte granted a temporary injunction, lifting Mayfield's suspension and allowing him to participate in NASCAR events until his case is decided. Mayfield, however, elected not to participate in Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
"Safety is our first responsibility and always will be," France said. He said NASCAR needed to ensure that all competitors "are of clear mind."
He called NASCAR's substance-abuse policy the toughest in professional sports because "there is the most to lose."
NASCAR is still exploring its options on whether to appeal the judge's ruling, he said.
The owner/driver was not at the track and he had made no comment since Wednesday's ruling until he sent an e-mail Saturday.
In it, he cited the difficulty in pulling a team together in time to try and qualify for Saturday's race and wanted to avoid becoming a distraction.
"This weekend shouldn't be about a questionable drug test or a flawed drug testing system. ... We look forward to seeing you all at the track very soon."
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