Over-the-counter drugs not the issue, France says
Friday, May. 15, 2009
AP
NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France listens during a news conference at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Friday, May 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Bob Jordan)
AP
In this Friday, May 8, 2009, photo, NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield waits with his wife, Shana Mayfield, before qualifications at Darlington Raceway in Darlington,S.C. Mayfield was suspended indefinitely Saturday after after failing a random drug test. NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter will not reveal what banned drug Mayfield used. Hunter said it was not an alcohol-related offense. (AP Photo/CJ Driggers)
AP
FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2008, file photo, NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield poses for photos at media day in Daytona Beach, Fla. Mayfield has been suspended indefinitely after failing a random drug test. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter, File)
AP
NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France speaks during a news conference at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Friday, May 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Bob Jordan)
CONCORD, N.C. — NASCAR chairman Brian France called Jeremy Mayfield's positive drug test "a serious violation" of the sport's toughened new drug policy.
France said Friday he considers performance-enhancers and recreational drugs to be serious violations. But a person familiar with Mayfield's test results told The Associated Press that Mayfield did not test positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
That could mean that Mayfield tested positive for a narcotic or a controlled substance, such as cocaine, marijuana or methamphetamine.
France would not reveal what Mayfield was caught using, despite a call from several drivers to disclose the drug.
"We had a serious violation of our test, our substance-abuse policy, which gets you an automatic and indefinite suspension and that is where we stand with Jeremy," France said. "We've said it's serious."
Mayfield failed a random drug test conducted May 1 at Richmond International Raceway. He was notified of his test result May 5, which he attributed to a combination of a prescription drug and an over-the-counter medication. NASCAR's drug-testing program administrator has rejected that explanation.
Mayfield then asked for his backup "B'' sample to be tested, and it came back positive last Saturday. NASCAR immediately suspended him as a driver and team owner of Mayfield Motorsports.
But Mayfield's explanation has left many drivers confused and wary of using any medications for fear of failing drug test.
France tried to reassure the drivers, explaining proper use of over-the-counter medication and prescriptions won't lead to NASCAR punishment.
"If you should test positive for over-the-counter medications or a prescribed medication that you are on with your doctor, that doesn't result in NASCAR suspending you," France said. "You will ... be asked to explain why you have a certain substance that was identified in a test. That's happened a lot, and it doesn't get you a suspension."
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