Mayfield: "It's Bulls--t, Man."

Jeremy Mayfield broke his long silence yesterday, speaking to ESPN.com’s Marty Smith and vowing to fight NASCAR every step of the way to regain his career and reputation.

Mayfield said, “Every time there's an action (by NASCAR), there's going to be a reaction from here on out. I try to be nice. I try to be respectful to them. I try to do everything right. But I'm not getting drug through the mud no more."

He said believes NASCAR is trying to make an example of him, challenging NASCAR CEO Brian France’s assertion that other drivers have failed substance abuse tests this season, but been cleared after conversations with their doctors. He also questioned France’s assertion that there is a list of substances banned by NASCAR, saying, “Now there's a list -- an exhaustive list. Right? Where's it at? It's bull----, man, and somebody needs to stand up and see through this."

He denied delaying a Monday drug test by more than seven hours, calling the events of that day “a wild goose chase," and claiming he was given just 18 minutes to report to a NASCAR-approved lab to provide a urine sample. "It was a wild-goose chase and I got pissed off about it," he said. "I was like, 'I'm not doing this for nobody.' Why would I? I wasn't running or hiding from anybody, because I don't have to.”

“I'm just tired of it,” he said. “Mentally. Personally. I go try to find a sponsor, (and) nobody will talk to you. Try to find a ride, nobody will talk to you. So then what do I do? I'm not going to sit here anymore and get slammed by (NASCAR)."

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Mayfield has nobody but himself to blame for his current situation, adding, "Whatever happened to personal responsibility? Jeremy Mayfield is the one who tested positive for methamphetamines. He's the one who violated the substance abuse policy, and he's the one that put the other competitors and fans at risk. The judge's order is quite clear: Mr. Mayfield will have to comply with whatever drug-testing requirements are imposed… on him, and continue to do so."

In a related story, Mayfield’s wife, Shana, said they are considering selling their race team after being unable to secure sponsorship. She said they do not have the cash to field a car themselves, and are "looking at all options,” including the sale of the team’s assets.

In an effort to increase the level of understanding of the process, Sirius Speedway has consulted with a number of medical professionals to determine what specific tests and procedures Mayfield is likely undergoing, and what they mean.

In cases like this, "witnessed samples" -- where the subject is observed urinating into the sample container -- are not unusual. In fact, they are the norm. While almost certainbly uncomfortable for the test subject, "witnessed samples" are not unusual in this type of case.

Acquisition of urine samples is not a sterile procedure, so it makes no difference where the sample is taken, so long as it is witnessed and all parties sign off on the sample as it is taken.

The experts say that NASCAR is now almost certainly conducting more comprehensive tests on Mayfield than their initial screening. In most cases, the preliminary drug screening tests only for three basic types of drugs. When a positive result is found, the next step is usually to administer a “Drugs of Abuse Screening” which searches for drug groups: amphetamines , cannaboids, cocaine, opiates, phenycylidine, ecstacy, LSD, club designer drugs, heroin, prescription drugs prescription drugs of abuse, anabolic steroids, etc. This test reveals specific drugs in the subject’s system -- and equally important – their levels of concentration.

NASCAR's chosen laboratory will almost certainly follow "chain of custody of evidence" with the urine sample obtained from Mayfield on Monday, documenting each step in the process and maintaining a chain of evidentiary possession to prove that his sample was not tampered with or contaminated in any way.

When Mayfield produced his latest sample, NASCAR (or its laboratory) almost certainly required him to provide complete, written documentation of any and all medications he is taking; complete with name, dosage and last time taken. Medications have what is called a "half-life" and medical professionals can look up any medication and determine -- according to its half-life -- the approximate duration of effect for that drug. When results are obtained from Mayfield's most recent screening -- likely in 3-4 days -- a toxicologist can review the concentration of each compound in his system and tell when it was ingested and how much was ingested.

Virtually every drug leaves a footprint in a person's system, revealing it’s specific chemical makeup. There are obviously variables in any test, but there are parameters and fail-safes built into the drug-screening process to deal with those variables. When there is a question surrounding the results of a specific test, the laboratory can simply obtain a new sample and re-test.

Mayfield Saga Now Bordering On Bizarre

Just when you think things can't get any more bizarre, the Jeremy Mayfield saga takes another turn toward the absurd.

NASCAR spokesmen said today that Mayfield submitted to a drug test Monday, but only after delaying that test for seven hours. NASCAR's Ramsey Poston accused Mayfield of intentionally attempting to avoid the test, but Mayfield’s attorney, John Buric, said the delay resulted from confusion over the location of the testing laboratory.

Poston said Mayfield was contacted at 1:18 p.m. Monday and told to report to a specific laboratory to provide a sample; procedures outlined in NASCAR’s drug testing policy.

That call triggered a veritable Keystone Kops series of events that strains the bounds of believability, no matter whose version you prefer.

Attorney Buric said NASCAR’s initial phone call went to Mayfield’s voice mail and was not received for more than an hour. Unable to reach NASCAR’s approved laboratory within the specified two-hour time frame, Buric says Mayfield was told to report to a closer lab, but was unable to find it. After being unable to contact personnel at the second lab to get directions, Buric says he directed his client to go to his own laboratory to provide a urine sample.

NASCAR subsequently sent lab technicians and a security official to Mayfield’s home, and were able to obtain their own sample after an additional one-hour delay; at approximately 8:20 p.m.

Buric blamed the additional delay on NASCAR’s insistence that Mayfield be observed while providing the sample to ensure it was his; a requirement Buric called, “outrageous and…intentional.” He accused the sanctioning body of “mak(ing) the rules up as (they) go along” and of intentionally harassing his client.

NASCAR’s Poston called it, “an attempt to delay and avoid doing a test within the prescribed time,” saying the sample was obtained only after “an extraordinary amount of delay and avoidance on (Mayfield’s) part.”

Finally, Buric confirmed that Mayfield will not attempt to qualify for Saturday night’s race at Chicagoland Speedway, saying his client lacks sponsorship for his own #41 Toyota, and has been unable to find a ride with another team. He accused NASCAR, sponsors and teams of treating Mayfield “like a pariah.”

And the beat goes on...

Norris Rips EGR's Stability

Michael Waltrip Racing General Manager Ty Norris offered up some scathing commentary on his former team yesterday.

Asked about Martin Truex, Jr.'s recently announced jump from Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing to MWR, Norris said, “Martin’s loyalty has kept him where he currently sits for a couple of years too long. That is an organization that has been in flux every year that he has been driving for them. In 2007… the whole season was about Dale Jr. leaving. In 2008, it was about the merger with Ginn. And this year, it was the merger with Ganassi.

They’ve moved three times, and… I don’t think the stability to be able to compete against the Hendricks and the Roushes and the Gibbses has been there.”

For his part, Truex said uncertainty over the future of Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing played a major role in his decision to jump to Michael Waltrip Motorports in 2010. “For me, there was a lot less in question (at MWR)," said Truex. "They were able to answer more questions. It was easier to see where they were heading, (and) the picture was just a lot more clear.”

Despite numerous reports to the contrary, Truex said he remains committed to Earnhardt-Ganassi through the end of the season, a fact that DEI General Manager Jeff Steiner confirmed in an exclusive interview with Sirius Speedway yesterday. There are reports that Truex’s longtime crewchief, Kevin “Bono” Manion, will join his driver at MWR next season, but Steiner said he expects Manion to remain in his current position.

No Hard Feelings: Tony Stewart says he spoke to Kyle Busch yesterday, and that there are no hard feelings following their last-lap crash in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona. He said the two agreed that the crash was nothing more than a racing incident, and will move on to Chicagoland Speedway Saturday night with a clean slate.

More Races For Smith: Furniture Row Racing Team Manager Joe Garoni says the team hopes to add races to its 2009 schedule soon. "We're looking at adding some more races as we move forward," said Garone, "and we're working hard to get sponsors to run a full season next year.” Driver Regan Smith was originally scheduled to run just 12 races this season, but the 2008 Raybestos Rookie of the year told Sirius Speedway Monday that the team has already decided to add the August 22 race at Bristol Motor Speedway to their schedule.

Confirmed: Truex To MWR In 2010

Michael Waltrip Racing announced today what Sirius Speedway first told you two weeks ago; that Martin Truex, Jr. will join their driver roster next season at the wheel of a new, NAPA Auto Parts-sponsored #56 Toyota. In addition, NAPA has signed a multi-year contract to continue as primary sponsor of the team.

Michael Waltrip will drive a limited schedule next season -- beginning with the Daytona 500 -– in his familiar #55 NAPA Toyota. Owner points earned by Waltrip this season will transfer to Truex's full-time effort in 2010. Truex has 135 career Sprint Cup starts, with one win, 12 Top-5 and 36 Top-10 finishes. He currently stands 24th in points at the halfway mark of the 2009 campaign.

Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing General Manager Jeff Steiner will join us live at 6:15 PM ET today to discuss the loss of Truex, and what it means to his team.

ISC Announces Revenue Plunge: International Speedway Corporation has reported a 13.6 percent drop in revenue for the first six months of this year, most of it attributed to a $55.6 million write-down for merchandise vendor Motorsports Authentics.

The company’s financial statement also showed a drop in admissions revenue of 16.5 percent, and ISC President John Saunders said he expects overall admissions revenue to drop 15 percent for the year. Advance ticket sales are down approximately 25-30 percent, as fans wait until later to buy tickets.

ISC had a net loss of $6.5 million for the first half of the year, compared to a $62.25 million profit in the first half of last year.

NASCAR Still Valuable To Automakers: A report in this week’s edition of Brand Week magazine shows once again why automakers see value in NASCAR.

The report cites statistics from Nielsen Media Research – the people in charge of determining television ratings – and MRI's Survey of the American Consumer showing that NASCAR fans are extremely patriotic about their cars and trucks.

Data acquired from NASCAR viewers in the first quarter of this year showed that they are more likely than average consumers to drive an American-made vehicle. NASCAR fans were 70-percent more likely to drive a Chevrolet than non-NASCAR fans. They were 64-percent more likely to drive a Ford than non-NASCAR fans, and Dodge’s numbers were plus-59 percent.

New Arrival: Congratulations to Matt and Katie Kenseth, who welcomed Kaylin Nicola Kenseth to the family Monday. Matt also has a son, Ross, from a previous relationship. Mom and baby are doing fine, Dad’s a little shaky.

MRN Radio's Jeff "Shamu" Streigle hoists the championship trophy after winning the Third Annual World Body Surfing Championship in Daytona Beach, FL, Saturday. The wily veteran overcame a near career-ending crash in last year's event to climb to the pinnacle of competitive bodysurfing. Congratulations, Jeff!

Thanks to Kim Roberson of InsiderRacingNews.com for the photo.

Earnhardt Says JR Motorsports Sprint Cup Upgrade Unlikely

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Friday that he doubts his JR Motorsports team will move to Sprint Cup competition in 2010.

An online website reported last week that Earnhardt could be shuffled to JR Motorsports next season to make room for Danica Patrick in the Hendrick Motorsports stable, but Earnhardt said it would be "quite a challenge for anybody to find the kind of financial support you need" to move the team from Nationwide to Sprint Cup competition. It would also reportedly require team co-owner Rick Hendrick to divest his ownership stake, in order to comply with NASCAR’s four-car ownership cap.

Mayfield Back in Chi-Town?: Crewchief Tony Furr says the Mayfield Motorsports team could be back on track with less than two days notice. Furr and the rest of the team were laid off in the aftermath of Mayfield’s suspension from NASCAR, but said Saturday that if the sponsorship is there, the team can be reassembled quickly. “All the stuff is still there at the shop," he said. "We're a day-and-a-half away from having (the car) ready to go. I could have a team in place in less than an hour. Mayfield Motorsports has not competed since the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway on May 24. In an open letter to fans, friends and fellow competitors, Mayfield said he is working around the clock to try and secure the funding needed to take part in this weekend’s race at Chicagoland Speedway.

PRM/Dodge News: Richard Petty said Friday that Chrysler is working on a plan to pay some of the money it owes Richard Petty Motorsports. After seeing the cash pipeline shut down in recent weeks, Petty said all parties are working to determine what Chrysler can do to help eliminate the past-due balance. RPM is in the final year of its contract with Dodge, and Petty said he is open to talking with other manufacturers about 2010 and beyond.

Leffler's `09 Schedule Trimmed: Braun Racing has announced that Great Clips will remain on board as sponsor of its #38 NASCAR Nationwide Series team for the next three seasons. Jason Leffler will drive the #38 Great Clips Toyota Camry in 27 of the 35 races, with Kasey Kahne running the remaining eight. Leffler is currently fourth in Nationwide points, trailing only Kyle Busch, Carl Edewards and Brad Keselowski.

Thursday 1:15 ET: Mayfield Motorsports A Daytona No-Show

A total of 45 transporters rolled through the tunnel at Daytona International Speedway this morning, but Mayfield Motorsports Inc., was not among them.

Despite winning a temporary injunction yesterday allowing him back behind the wheel effective immediately, it appears that Jeremy Mayfield will not attempt to qualify for Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400. Mayfield said yesterday that he hoped to compete this weekend, but his attorney, Bill Diehl, told Sirius Speedway that preparing a car and getting it to Daytona in time for today’s opening round of practice would be “problematic.”

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Mayfield Motorsports has until 3 p.m. ET today to present a car for competition, and with less than two hours remaining, our sources at the speedway say he has not yet done so.

The hype surrounding Mayfield threatened to cross the line into outright silliness earlier today, when the Associated Press ran a breathless story announcing that team owners Larry Gunselman and Tommy Baldwin will not put Mayfield in their cars this weekend.

That really came as no surprise, since veteran Mike Wallace was already entered in Gunselman’s #64 Toyota, with Patrick Carpentier slated to steer Baldwin’s #36. Gunselman said that his sponsor wants no part of the controversy surrounding Mayfield, while Baldwin pointed out that he already had a driver for the weekend; Carpentier.

In a related (and equally vapid) story, Hendrick Motorsports, Roush-Fenway Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing all revealed today that they have no plans to replace any of their drivers with Mayfield, either.

BREAKING NEWS: Mayfield Wins Injunction, Cleared To Race At Daytona

U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen has granted Jeremy Mayfield’s request for a preliminary injunction, a decision that forced NASCAR – at least for now -- to lift his indefinite suspension for testing positive for a banned substance, reportedly methamphetamines.

That ruling does not necessarily mean that Mayfield will take part in Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 at Daytona. NASCAR is entitled to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., though spokesman Ramsey Poston said NASCAR does not plan to appeal, and will abide by the judge's ruling.

The sanctioning body had argued that Mayfield is not guaranteed the right to compete as a driver, pointing out that Mayfield Motorsports has fielded cars for driver J.J. Yeley in Mayfield’s absence. In their words, "While (Mayfield has) not suffered, and will not suffer, any harm that could not be compensated through a monetary award, reversing the suspension would create a real and serious risk of injury or death to others.”

NASCAR also raised the spectre of Mayfield’s fellow drivers refusing to compete if he is on the track. “If other drivers refuse to race, it will harm the relationships that NASCAR has developed with its drivers, fans, sponsors and broadcasters over the last sixty years."

In his ruling, Judge Mullen said, "The harm to Mayfield substantially outweighs harm to NASCAR." He also ruled that Mayfield is subject to whatever drug testing NASCAR deems fit.

NASCAR’s Poston said Mayfield will be tested on a regular basis.