When it comes to Mayfield, I don’t know what to believe

Thursday, July 2, 2009 | 2:24 p.m.

Did he or didn’t he? That is the question. This huge question mark hangs over Jeremy Mayfield as the allegations of his drug use wind its way through the court system.

There’s a lot of emotional chatter on the Internet surrounding the Mayfield mess, but for me this controversy is only about two things at this moment. Is Mayfield a drug user and, subsequently, is it safe for him to be driving in a race? This isn’t about standing up to the big and powerful or some perceived conspiracy by NASCAR or a blatant move by NASCAR to throw its weight around. These issues may come into play later, depending on the final verdict. But these aren’t the primary concerns at this moment.

We will all have to wait to see if the allegations against Mayfield are accurate. In the meantime everyone loses. NASCAR's drug testing policy is taking hits. Mayfield’s reputation, morality and future as a driver are all in question. And Mayfield’s fans don’t get to see him race. The sport needs as speedy a resolution as the courts can provide.

Mayfield is adamant about his innocence. NASCAR has conducted two drug tests. And while I’m hesitant to fully buy into Mayfield’s defense, which seems sketchy, I’m not ready to completely accept the validity of the drug tests until all of facts and evidence are presented. And right now there is more talk than facts.

That having been said, I admit that I was surprised by a federal court’s decision to grant Mayfield an injunction. Has the judge in this matter ever viewed a race at Daytona? Does he realize that these cars travel at almost 200 miles per hour just inches from one another? The issue may be moot if Mayfield doesn’t compete in Saturday’s race, but I wouldn’t want to be on the track with a driver that has recently failed a drug test just as I wouldn’t want to fly on a plane piloted by someone who had recently failed a drug test.

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