Mayfield dodges Daytona ‘circus’

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Jeremy Mayfield wasn’t at Daytona International Speedway for Saturday night’s race, citing the media attention on his legal fight with NASCAR as an unnecessary distraction from the Independence Day celebration.

NASCAR suspended Mayfield May 9 for testing positive for methamphetamines, and he sued to be reinstated. On Wednesday, a federal judge issued an injunction clearing him to return to competition, and Mayfield indicated he’d travel to Daytona.

But he didn’t enter his Mayfield Motorsports team and had no ride lined up for the race. Still, there was a constant watch for his arrival, which was expected to happen Saturday.

Instead, he and wife Shana issued a statement at the same time the prerace driver meeting began at Daytona.

“We’ve been watching on television and reading online about the ‘Storm Clouds Over Daytona’ and the ‘Mayfield Media Circus,’ ” he wrote. “Honestly, this is the last thing Shana or I want for anybody. This weekend shouldn’t be about a questionable drug test or a flawed drug testing system. It should be about celebrating our country, the greatest country in the world.

“So, enjoy the weekend with your friends and family, and have a very Happy Independence Day. We look forward to seeing you all at the track very soon.”

Mayfield said he hoped to be at next week’s race in Chicago. Saturday night is the eighth race he’s missed since his suspension, and the sixth event Mayfield Motorsports did not enter.

His suspension covered his role as driver and owner of the No. 41 Toyota. Mayfield had transferred ownership to his wife so the car could continue to compete during his absence. The team used J.J. Yeley for the first two races after his suspension.

NASCAR has been critical this weekend of Mayfield’s absence from Daytona, questioning why he needed an emergency hearing to be reinstated if he had no intention of immediately returning to competition.