Suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield (Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR)

UPDATE
June 9, 2009: Sources to ESPN reveal that the banned substance Jeremy Mayfield tested positive for was Methamphetamine. Yes, meth. Read the full ESPN Story.
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NASCAR’s substance abuse policy has been in the spotlight ever since Jeremy Mayfield was suspended indefinitely following a failed NASCAR-administered drug test several weeks ago.

To make matters worse, the whole situation has turned into what amounts to a “he said/she said” type of disagreement between Mayfield and the powers that be at NASCAR.

Mayfield still contends that the failed drug test was a result of the combination of a prescription medication and an over-the-counter drug that he was taking. He has said that the over-the-counter drug was Claritin, but still hasn’t disclosed to the public the prescription medication he is on.

On the other hand, The doctor who oversees NASCAR’s drug testing procedures contends that there is no way the two drugs Mayfield claims to be on could possibly cause the result that was attained from Mayfield’s test.

The two stories also differ in other areas. According to Mayfield, NASCAR nor the people who administered the drug test provided him with information on exactly what he tested positive for. According to NASCAR, however, Mayfield was told at least three times what he tested positive for.

Mayfield, still adamant that his failed test was a result of medication, refuses to enter the rehab program that NASCAR mandates to be considered for reinstatement. He contends that he isn’t on drugs and doesn’t need rehab.

The big blowup over Mayfield’s drug test results have since raised some questions among other NASCAR drivers.

In addition to illegal drugs, NASCAR says it tests for several legal drugs that are commonly used as medication. Because of the nature of the sport, NASCAR wants to be on top of any substance a competitor may be using that could adversely affect performance and possibly dull reflexes.

Since this whole Mayfield ordeal, several drivers have presented questions like, “ What medications are okay?” and “Which ones are banned?”

Some drivers have said that they’ve never been given a list of what drugs NASCAR deems as okay to take and exactly what is off limits.

Meanwhile, NASCAR has said that a list is available to its competitors. Officials have also said that a failed drug test that is a result of a common medication will not result in immediate suspension. According to NASCAR, a competitor who fails a drug test because of legal medication will be spoken to about the matter, and a proper outcome will be reached.

Competitors’ minds seem to have been eased since NASCAR held a town hall-type meeting On May 26. NASCAR opened up the meeting to discuss anything that were on drivers’ and team owners’ minds.

According to those in attendance, several topics were discussed and several ideas to improve competition were presented.

Of course one of the main topics of conversation was, you guessed it, NASCAR’s substance abuse policy. During that discussion, NASCAR assured drivers that they would not be suspended for using prescription or over-the-counter medication. Instead, if a driver is on medication that NASCAR officials deem as dangerous to use while driving a race car, a conversation about solutions would take place before a decision is made.

Mayfield contends that such did not happen in his situation. Why? According to NASCAR, Mayfield’s failed test wasn’t caused by what he insists it was caused by.

It may seem to some that a simple solution would just be for NASCAR to disclose exactly what drug or drugs Mayfield tested positive for. NASCAR refuses to disclose that information for privacy reasons.

This matter doesn’t seem to be near a conclusion as Mayfield ‘s case has been moved to federal court with a hearing date still not set. He is currently in the process of getting the courts to force NASCAR into lifting his suspension, because, as he insists, he does not have a problem.

Additional reading: Mayfield Suspension Case Moved to Federal Court