Suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield calls radio show
France told Mayfield he needed to go through NASCAR’s recovery program for drivers who violate the sport’s substance-abuse program. LISTEN TO AUDIO
The minute-long exchange occurred on Motor Racing Network’s “NASCAR Live" with host Eli Gold.
“I just want to ask Brian if he’s willing to accept the fact that I’d like to come back racing and if we could sit down and talk about it and figure out what we would need to do and make that work," Mayfield said.
France responded: “Jeremy, you know the path back for you. It’s the path back for anybody. I’ve always hoped that you would choose the right path and not litigation and a bunch of other things.
“That’s up to you. You have a welcome mat out (for you) anytime you want. There’s a stated process that AJ Allmendinger just went through and we welcome him back and it’s terrific. That’s up to you."
Mayfield said: “OK. Well I appreciate that and I didn’t mean to bother you on the show but it’s the only way I could get hold of you and I figured it would be a great opportunity to do that. You guys have a good night."
France said: “We’d love to have you back."
According to NASCAR, Mayfield failed two drug tests, one on May 1, 2009 and another on July 6, 2009 — five days after he had obtained an injunction that kept NASCAR from suspending him. Under NASCAR’s substance-abuse policy, a third failed test would result in a lifetime ban.
During the initial legal proceedings, NASCAR alleged that Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamine.
The driver has said that the first test was a false positive caused by a mix of over-the-counter allergy medication and prescription Adderall. He said the second test was a mistake and that he passed a drug test at an independent lab that same night. Sporting News