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.

Tony George Out As Indy President/CEO

The Board of Directors of Hulman & Company and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced Tuesday that a new management team comprised of veteran IMS executives W. Curtis Brighton and Jeffrey G. Belskus will head the Hulman-George companies
effective July 1. They will replace Tony George, who will no longer serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hulman-George companies but will remain a board member of the Hulman-George companies.

"Our board had asked Tony to structure our executive staff to create efficiencies in our business structure and to concentrate his leadership efforts in the Indy Racing League," said IMS Chairman of the Board Mari Hulman George. "He has decided that with the recent unification of open-wheel racing and the experienced management team IMS has cultivated over the years, now would be the time for him to concentrate on his team ownership of Vision Racing with his family and other personal business interests he and his family share.

"Tony will remain on the Board of Directors of all of our companies, and he will continue to work with the entire board to advance the interests of all of companies. Our family and the entire racing community are grateful to Tony for the leadership and direction he has provided since 1990. We are pleased that he will continue to be an important part of the Indy Racing League as a team owner and as a member of our Board of Directors, and we wish him every success."

Today’s announcement mirrored a report filed by SPEED TV’s Robin Miller two weeks ago; a report that was strongly denied by all parties.

Mayfield Failed Independent Test

ESPN.com is reporting today that tests performed by an independent laboratory support the original findings that led to Jeremy Mayfield’s indefinite suspension from NASCAR.

The name of the individual and the specific test results were blacked out in court documents, but a spokesman for NASCAR confirmed to ESPN that the findings were identical. Medtox Laboratories tested Mayfield’s "A" and "B" samples last week, and discovered the same banned substance originally found by Aegis Laboratories, which oversees NASCAR’s drug testing program.

Attorneys for both Mayfield and NASCAR testified in court two weeks ago that the substance in question is amphetamines.

Mayfield's attorneys contend that a second, independent lab should have been used to test Mayfield’s "B" sample in the first place, and that the sample was compromised when opened for testing by Aegis Labs. A hearing is set for tomorrow in U.S. District Court, as Mayfield seeks a temporary restraining order that would allow him to compete in Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

Truex To Finish `09 With MWR: Despite published reports claiming that Martin Truex Jr. could move to Michael Waltrip Racing’s #55 Toyota as soon as next month’s race at Chicagoland Speedway, Sirius Speedway has learned that Truex will remain with Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing for the remainder of the season.

Sources close to the situation say that while an agreement to move Truex to the Waltrip camp for the final few races of the season could still come to fruition, contractual and sponsorship issues will almost certainly keep Truex in the #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet for the rest of the year.

Waltrip, meanwhile, is expected to finish the 2009 campaign in his familiar NAPA Toyota. Sources say that Truex will steer a new, NAPA-backed #56 Camry in 2010, with Waltrip running a limited schedule of 10-12 races (including the season-opener at Daytona) in a companion #55.

Michael Waltrip Racing is expected to announce the moves in a press conference scheduled for July 7.

NASCAR Claiming Milwaukee Vendor Revenue: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported today that Wisconsin Motorsports, promoter of the Milwaukee Mile, owes NASCAR nearly $1.9 million dollars for the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck races held there this month.

Claude Napier, head of Wisconsin Motorsports, signed an agreement the day before the races were scheduled to take place, stating that he was unable to pay NASCAR’s sanction fee for the events, and agreeing that all revenue from the races would go directly to NASCAR. An attorney for NASCAR subsequently sent a letter to the track’s vendors, concessionaires and program sellers, instructing them to forward the money they owe Wisconsin Motorsports to NASCAR, instead.

NASCAR has reportedly paid all of its teams for the two events.

Truex Leaving EGR, Bass Pro Staying

Martin Truex, Jr., is expected to announce next week that he will leave Earhhardt-Ganassi Racing to drive for Michael Waltrip Racing next season. Even if Truex bolts, however, EGR President Steve Lauletta said this week that he expects his major sponsor -- Bass Pro Shops -- to remain with the team.

Lauletta confirmed that EGR has not re-signed Truex for 2010, but declined to comment on whether Aric Almirola or another driver would replace Truex at the wheel of the #1 Chevrolet.

Denials Aplenty: Hendrick Motorsports has strongly denied an internet report claiming that Dale Earnhardt, Jr., will be farmed out to a new JR Motorsports Sprint Cup team next season to make room for Danica Patrick.

The mikemulhern.net website reported yesterday that the battle for Patrick’s services has boiled down to Hendrick Motorsports and Roush Fenway Racing, with Hendrick “now the heavy favorite to sign Patrick.” Mulhern reported that the Patrick-Hendrick negotiations are “very close to being a 'done deal,'” and that Patrick could take Earnhardt's spot at Hendrick Motorsports, with Junior moving to a new JR Motorsports Cup operation.

NASCAR is denying another Mulhern report claiming that the sanctioning body is considering dramatic cuts in next year’s Camping World Truck Series schedule, and could abolish the series outright. NASCAR Vice President Steve O'Donnell reportedly addressed those rumors in the pre-race drivers’ meeting at Memphis Motorsports Park, assuring teams that NASCAR has no plans to scale-back or eliminate the series in 2010. He said he expects to see new owners, drivers and tracks on the series next season.

Milwaukee Mile Short On Cash: Updating a story we first reported last week, the Milwaukee Mile still owes NASCAR money from the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series races held there two weekends ago.

Wisconsin Motorsports head Claude Napier declined to talk specifically about the situation this week, but acknowledged that the legendary speedway will lose money this year. In his words, “I don't want to get into specifics about what we owe and what we don't owe. We are working very closely with NASCAR and in particular we are working on the future."

NASCAR has reportedly paid its teams for the two events, and is working closely with the track to resolve the issue. Spokesmen for the IRL IndyCar Series have refused to say whether their teams have been paid for an event there the same weekend.

Commentary: Conflicting Reports Provide Valuable Insight

The ongoing discussion regarding Richard Petty Motorsports and its manufacturer affiliations has produced no shorage of headlines in the last 72 hours. Reports have been made, confirmed, denied and contradicted, leaving fans with little choice but to decided who they want to believe, and forget the rest.

If nothing else, the story provides an interesting look at how things happen behind the scenes in NASCAR Sprint Cup racing.

I told you Monday that there was a strong possibility of Richard Petty Motorsports fielding Toyota Camrys for driver Kasey Kahne, as soon as mid-August. Despite being confirmed by multiple sources within the organization, the story was immediately and categorically denied by RPM.

Yesterday, team co-owner Richard Petty joined us on Sirius Speedway, and was asked whether the team had plans to field Toyotas later this year. He answered, “I don't really know. I don't think anybody knows right now exactly where we're sitting, what we're gonna do, (or) what's gonna happen three weeks from now, let alone the beginning of next year.”

Just hours earlier, Richard Petty Motorsports spokesman Drew Brown responded to the same question by saying, “Richard Petty Motorsports has no plans to switch manufacturers in 2009 with any of our Cup cars. Our people plan to keep winning races with Dodge like they did Sunday and later this year put Dodges in the Chase."

Is it any wonder that media outlets contradict each other? And is it any wonder that fans are confused about who -– and what -- to believe?

For the record, I have no problem being called on the carpet by a race team for reporting something they don’t want reported. Public relations representatives are under no obligation to tell the truth to the media. They can tell us the whole truth, a half-truth or an outright lie, as the case requires. In fact, there are times where they have to lie to us, in the best interest of their team.

Anyone who does a job like mine for any length of time has been called a damned liar – in so many words – on Monday, only to be proven correct a few days later when the official press conference takes place. It’s part of the job, and people generally don’t take it personally.

I certainly don’t.

As of now, nobody knows whether Kasey Kahne will drive a Toyota this season or not. I don’t know, you don’t know… King Richard himself says he doesn’t know! I guess we’ll just wait and see. Despite all the denials, however, it is clear that the possibility has been discussed at the highest levels of Richard Petty Motorsports.

Take all the hubbub and confusion of the last few days, file it away and remember it the next time you're faced with wildly conflicting media reports on a major NASCAR story. At times like this, the bottom line is simple. Reporters have a job to do, and PR people have a job to do. Sometimes, those jobs put us at loggerheads.

It happens.

Petty On Dodge/Toyota Combo: "Nobody Knows What's Going To Happen."

Richard Petty left little doubt yesterday that discussions have taken place about converting at least part of the Richard Petty Motorsports stable to Toyota power.

In an exclusive Sirius Speedway interview, the seven-time Sprint Cup Series champion was asked about reports that his team will field Toyotas for driver Kasey Kahne as soon as mid-August. "It's all swirling around," said Petty. "I don't really know, and I don't think anybody knows right now exactly where we're sitting, what we're gonna do, (or) what's gonna happen... three weeks from now, let alone the beginning of next year.

"We're like everybody else," he said. "We're trying to put ourselves together with our sponsor deals, make sure we've got (the money) to be able to go. Then we're going to look at whatever we think is going to be best for Richard Petty Motorsports in the short run and the long run.

"After being here for 50 or 60 years, I'm not looking for a quick fix," said Petty. "We're trying to put stuff together so that we can go on down the road next year, the year after next (and) the year after that."

"We're open about anything right now. So we're going to put everything on the table and... hope we make the right decisions on where we go."

Asked about his longtime loyalty to the Dodge brand, Petty replied that loyalty is a two-way street.

"You've got to look at it from the standpoint of; can Dodge be loyal to us now that the government owns Chrysler? I don't know if the people (in Washington) are race fans. If they are, then that's going to be great. But if they're not, it affects so many people. There's so much going on out there -- under the table or under the ground -- that we don't know about. So what Dodge does next year -- or Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota or whoever -- we're just going to have to wait and let the dust settle. Then we're going to run in there and pick up the best thing we can."

Petty admitted that discussions have taken place about the challenges of fielding two different brands of race car out of the same shop.

"I've asked the same question," he laughed. "Really, I have. I said, 'What if?' And I think that's what we're gonna have to do. We're gonna have to say, 'What if?' and see...(what it would take) to be able to do something like that."

Petty said he sees at least one major roadblock to the two-manufacturer system: the engine shop.

"The cars have got the same wheels, same brakes, same chassis snd same basic body, so all that stuff would be easy. The big deal is how could you do the motor situation? That would be the big question mark. I don't know if it's ever been done, but if it could be done, we could probably do it."

BREAKING NEWS: Dodge Back On Top Of RPM Derby

It's a full-time job keeping up with the behind-the-scenes maneuvering at Richard Petty Motorsports these days.

As we first reported yesterday, sources inside the walls at RPM say plans have been made to field Toyota Camrys for Kasey Kahne beginning in mid-August, as soon as team officials finalize a financial settlement package with Dodge. Those negotiations have reportedly taken a sudden turn in recent days, though, with the possibility now existing for Kahne and his RPM teammates to remain in the Dodge camp, after all.

Nobody seems to know exactly what turned the tide back in Dodge’s favor. Speculation ranges from a juicy incentive package offered by Dodge, to a bit of hardball by the automaker holding RPM to its existing contracts. The “juicy incentive” option is highly unlikely considering Chrysler’s recent bankruptcy filing, and Dodge previously allowed Chip Ganassi Racing to move to the Chevrolet camp after its merger with Dale Earnhardt. Inc., despite an existing contract.

The most likely explanation for RPM’s sudden about-face is Richard Petty’s personal loyalty to Dodge. Sources say that Reed Sorenson’s #43 would have remained a Dodge even after Kahne’s manufacturer switch, forcing RPM to construct two different makes of cars under the same roof. While such an undertaking is less daunting today than in the past -- due to common body templates and chassis -- the logistics are still considerable.

King Richard may not be the sole decision-maker for his team anymore, but his influence within the walls of RPM is still considerable. Sources say his insistence on remaining (at least partially) a Dodge Boy played a major role in this week’s reversal.

In the end, after a serious flirtation with Toyota – the second in as many years for team co-owner George Gillett – it now appears that Richard Petty Motorsports may remain in the Dodge camp, after all.

Kahne To Toyota In August; RPM Will Field Two Makes Of Cars

Sirius Speedway has learned that Richard Petty Motorsports will begin fielding Toyotas for driver Kasey Kahne in mid-August, with at least part of the team remaining in Dodge livery for the time being.

Published reports this week claimed the team will begin fielding Toyotas for Kahne at Chicagoland Speedway on July 11, but an RPM source speaking on the condition of anonymity tells Sirius Speedway that the change will not happen until team officials are able to hammer out a financial settlement with their current manufacturer. RPM co-owner Richard Petty confirmed recently that there has been a dramatic reduction in manufacturer support to the team as a result of Chrysler’s recent bankruptcy reorganization, a fact confirmed by multiple sources.

“Dodge owes the team a ton of money, and they’re trying to negotiate some kind of settlement right now,” said one source. “Until that’s done, the team cannot make a move. Once the settlement is signed, you’ll see Kasey Kahne in a Toyota.”

RPM’s familiar #43 – driven by Reed Sorenson – will remain in Dodge livery for the foreseeable future. “Richard Petty is extremely loyal to Dodge, and the #43 will remain a Dodge,” said the source. “RPM has enough parts and pieces to put new, Dodge R6 engines in one car, and it will be the #43.”

A decision on future manufacturer affiliations for the #19 and #44 cars -- driven by Elliott Sadler and AJ Allmendinger – is pending, and could depend on whether a favorable settlement can be reached between RPM and Dodge. There has been no comment from officials for either Dodge or Toyota, Richard Petty will join us Tuesday to discuss the reports.

Double-FIle Restarts Go Nationwide At Daytona

Sirius Speedway has learned that NASCAR will implement the new, double-file, shootout-style restart procedure on the NASCAR Nationwide Series, beginning at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night, July 3.

The new system has been used without issue in the last three Sprint Cup races at Pocono, Michigan and Infineon, and NASCAR officials are now ready to roll it out for Nationwide competition.

It is expected that double-file restarts will be utilized soon in the Camping World Truck Series, as well.

NASCAR: Mayfield's Expert Lied

NASCAR filed a motion in federal court yesterday, claiming that an expert witness cited by Jeremy Mayfield falsified his credentials.

Mayfield’s attorneys used the statements of Dr. Harvey MacFenerstein to argue that their client should be immediately reinstated for competition, but NASCAR alleged yesterday that MacFenerstein misrepresented his medical degrees, certifications and other qualifications in that May 29 affidavit.

In the filing, MacFenerstein claimed to have received a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology from Midwestern State University of Texas, an MD in clinical pathology from CETED University in Mexico and certification as a Medical Review Officer from two different clinical agencies.

NASCAR refuted each of those claims, after a search of Midwestern State's records produced no documentation that MacFenerstein had ever received a degree from the university. In fact, a spokesperson for the university registrar's office offered sworn testimony that "a Harvey Mac Fenerstein briefly attended ... some classes" during just one semester in 1976.

NASCAR has asked that Mayfield's legal team be sanctioned for failing to conduct a "reasonable inquiry" into MacFenerstein's qualifications. Mayfield's lead attorney, Bill Diehl, has until July 6 to respond to the latest allegations.

Carroll Still Won't Quit: Former Kentucky Speedway owner Jerry Carroll says he expects the appeal of his antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR to continue for at least another month, if not longer.

New owner Bruton Smith has repeated asked Carroll to drop his appeal, opening the door for NASCAR to grant him a Sprint Cup Series race at the track next season. But Carroll and his group have refused to do so, and Smith said Saturday that he is not optimistic about his chance for a race in 2010.

If Carroll and company win their appeal, the case would go to trial, potentially delaying the process for years.

Scott Will Race Hurt: Camping World Truck Series driver Brian Scott suffered a broken right wrist in a Lap 8 crash at Michigan International Speedway Saturday.

Despite that injury, Scott plans to compete in Friday night's Copart 200 at the Milwaukee Mile.

Scott said he was injured when the steering wheel wrenched from his hand on impact, adding that he knew he was hurt almost immediately. He called the crash, “the hardest hit of my career,” but said he will travekl to the Milwaukee Mile this week and “make the most of the situation."

Double Duty For Shrub: Kyle Busch and Scott Speed will drive for Chip Ganassi Racing in the Grand-Am Rolex Series Brumos Porsche 250 at Daytona on July 4.

The pair will make their Grand-Am debuts in the #02 Lexus Riley; a team car to the #01 fielded for defending Series champions Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas. The race will take the green flag at 2 p.m. ET, with Busch then taking part in the Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race later that evening.

The Tank Runs Dry...

"The Morning Drive" co-host Mike Bagley made it all the way to the Rental Car bus before running out of gas Sunday! That's more than Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle can say!

Waltrip Set To Scale Back Driving In 2010

Michael Waltrip will step out of the #55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway, turning the seat over to Patrick Carpentier.

Waltrip explained the decision today, saying, “If I see where I can improve my car’s performance, then that’s exactly what I am going to do. I am a good road racer, but Patrick is a great road racer. I love being an owner and I want to get another win for NAPA.”

Carpentier will also drive Waltrip’s NAPA Nationwide Series Toyota at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal in August.

Waltrip’s withdrawal from the Iinfineon race may be the first in a growing series of bow-outs for the former Daytona 500 champion. Waltrip said at the start of the season that he would replace himself as driver of the NAPA Auto Parts car if he was unable to keep pace with his teammates, David Reutimann and Marcos Ambrose. With Reutimann 11th in points and Ambrose a surprisingly strong 18th, Waltrip (32nd in the points parade) has little choice but to take a good, long look in the mirror.

"I was dead serious,” said Waltrip to ESPN.com this week. “If the other two cars are outrunning me and I'm not keeping up, (to) heck with it. This year, it's not working for me. I just want to have a winning championship race team."

Waltrip says he now expects to run only a limited schedule of races next season in a fourth MWR entry, beginning with the season-opening Daytona 500. “It's pretty obvious… that I'm looking at what I'm going to do in '10,” he said. “It certainly makes it easier when you see the performance of the other teams, (to) see what we're building going forward."

Sources tell Sirius Speedway that Martin Truex Jr. is likely to replace Waltrip in the NAPA car next season, though Waltrip would like to keep the #55 on his part-time entry. Truex is in the final year of his contract with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, and has privately expressed frustration with a season that has him languishing 19th in points. Truex is believed highly unlikely to return to EGR next season, and is the top choice to replace Waltrip.

Benson Sidelined As Red Horse Parks #1 Truck

Red Horse Racing has closed the doors on its #1 Toyota Tundra, team effective immediately. The move will sideline former series champion Johnny Benson, who has raced without sponsorship this season after an expected sponsor fell victim to the struggling economy during the offseason. Red Horse will continue to field its #11 Toyota driven by TJ Bell, which enjoys some financial backing from Bell and his family.

Red Horse Racing co-owner Tom Deloatch told Sirius Speedway Monday that he continued to field Benson's #1 Toyota until it no longer made financial sense to do so. "When the (financial) tide starts to drop, you have to start throwing things overboard to keep the ship from running aground."

There is no official word on Johnny Benson’s future in the Camping World Truck Series, but there are unconfirmed reports that Toyota is attempting to place Benson with another Truck Series team. Talk in the Truck Garage Friday night centered on Randy Moss Motorsports, which already fields a pair of Tundras for Mike Skinner and rookie Tayler Malsam. A spokesperson for Randy Moss Motorsports told Sirius Speedway today that team owner David Dollar only learned of Benson's release at noon Monday.

"There is no truth to the rumor about Johnny Benson coming to Randy Moss Motorsports. It is an unfortunate situation for Johnny, but Randy Moss Motorsports will continue their two-truck program with Tayler Malsam and Mike Skinner."

Cuts At RPM, Penske Says All Is Well: Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press is reporting that Richard Petty Motorsports has laid off nine employees and cut salaries for virtually all of their remaining staff.

The move comes as a result of what the team says are shortfalls in financial support from Dodge, in the aftermath of Chrysler's recent bankruptcy filing. RPM officials are reportedly anticipating significant monetary cutbacks from Dodge, and co-owner Richard Petty said last week that the bankruptcy has already slowed the flow of cash into the team.

Fellow Dodge team owner Roger Penske said Sunday that said Dodge has continued to support his team fully in recent weeks. Penske said Dodge “paid the bills we submitted to them, and they're on time. I don't know what (Petty) is talking about."

Mayfield Attorney: NASCAR Said Test Showed Amphetamines

Jeremy Mayfield appeared in North Carolina Superior Court in Charlotte today, and his attorney ended weeks of speculation by testifying that NASCAR informed Mayfield that he had tested positive for amphetamines at Richmond International Raceway last month.

Attorney Bill Diehl requested a temporary restraining order on Mayfield's behalf, which would allow him to resume his driving career until the case is settled. Diehl made seven different charges to support the request, including breach of character, saying that NASCAR is unfairly preventing Mayfield from plying his trade as a professional race car driver. Diehl also told a judge that Mayfield had been taking medication for allergies and attention deficit disorder.

He also accused Aegis Laboratories -- the company that oversees and runs NASCAR's substance abuse program -- of testing Mayfield's urine samples in a manner that violated federal guidelines.

NASCAR's lawyer, Paul Hendrick, argued that the sanctioning body, "cannot allow people to drive when we think that he has issues of drug abuse or a positive test." He also asked that NASCAR be given more time to respond to the complaint, since Mayfield had already forfeited his chance to qualify for this weekend's race at Dover by failing to turn a practice lap.

No word yet on when the judge might render a decision.

Mayfield Motorsports was a surprise scratch from this weekend’s Autism Speaks 400 at Dover, after saying less than a week ago that they would compete on the Monster Mile with driver JJ Yeley at the wheel.

Kyles Throws Gasoline On Earnhardt's Fire

There have been plenty of rivalries in the history of NASCAR Sprint Cup racing. Richard Petty and Bobby Allison had their moments of animosity in the late 1960s and early `70s, and there was a time in the `80s when it would not have been wise to invite Darrell Waltrip and Rusty Wallace to the same cocktail party.

NASCAR is a kinder, gentler and (some would say) blander sport these days, however, and aside from Carl Edwards occasionally attempting to strangle Kevin Harvick, it’s tough to find a real, lasting rivalry of any kind in the Sprint Cup garage.

Kyle Busch wants to change all that.

Since his departure from Hendrick Motorsports following the 2007 season, Busch has made no secret of his desire to outshine his replacement in the Hendrick camp, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Busch derives great satisfaction from outrunning Earnhardt’s #88 Chevrolet, and has done so with great regularity in the last two seasons. He also seems to enjoy lobbing verbal firebombs at the Earnhardt camp from time to time, saying recently that fans and media members focus too much attention on a single driver (Earnhardt) who doesn’t seem to win many races.

Friday at Dover, Busch tossed another molotov cocktail at NASCAR’s most popular driver, suggesting that Earnhardt -– and not deposed crewchief Tony Eury, Jr. -– is to blame for the #88 team’s lackluster performance.

“(Earnhardt) is the one who brought that crewchief in,” said Busch. “He’s the one who pulled so hard to bring Tony Eury Jr. in. It looked like it was working there in the beginning, (but) it hasn’t worked since the summer of last year.

Busch said new crewchief Lance McGrew “has got his hands full having to deal with what’s going on. If Junior doesn’t run well, then (McGrew) is going to be the problem. It’s never Junior. It’s always the crewchief.”

He also said Hendrick has no choice but to do whatever it takes “to make the most popular driver in the sport competitive. Whatever makes him better, I guess.”

Shrubby’s comments are guaranteed to ignite another war of words between the Busch and Earnhardt fan camps, whose disdain for each other boils just below the surface, even on the best day. That may actually be a good thing for a sport that badly needs a legitimate, “we hate those guys” rivalry to add some spice to the soup.

Hendrick's Fix Is A Good One

There's a reason why Rick Hendrick is widely recognized as one of the top team owners in the history of NASCAR.

Hendrick removed Tony Eury, Jr., as crewchief of Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s National Guard/AMP Energy Drink #88 Chevrolet Thursday, after a dismal, 40th place showing in the Coca-Cola 600 dropped the team to 19th in the championship standings. The decision to make a change was a no-brainer. More difficult was the decision on what to do next.

Earnhardt is strong-willed to the point of stubbornness, and has displayed fierce loyalty to his now departed cousin/crewchief. The last time he was teamed with a crewchief not of his own choosing -- DEI's Pete Rondeau -- the partnership lasted only a few weeks before Rondeau walked away, reportedly unhappy with Earnhardt's communication skills and unwillingness to consider ideas that were not his own.

In an attempt to avoid a repeat performance, Hendrick has replaced Eury with a sort of crewchief-by-committee. Beginning next week, interim crewchief Lance McGrew, team manager Brian Whitesell, lead chassis engineer Rex Stump and engineer Tom Stewart will all play major roles in determining Earnhardt's chassis setups and race strategy. McGrew will fill the crewchief's role at least for now, with assistance from Whitesell. Stump will provide input on the nuts-and-bolts, while Stewart assists with race strategy.

It's an ingenious approach, for two reasons.

First, it insulates McGrew from the scrutiny associated with serving as crewchief for NASCAR's Most Popular Driver. More important, it provides a "strength in numbers" approach to dealing with Earnhardt himself.

In the past, Eury's decisions have been subject to frequent second-guessing from the cockpit. With McGrew, Whitesell, Stump and Stewart all contributing their expertise, Earnhardt may have no choice but to do things their way.

Hendrick explained the move in a prepared statement, saying, "Our performance hasn't been where it should be. It's impossible to pin that on any one factor, but a change is the right decision at this point. We have a plan in place, and we're going to move forward with it.

"We're going to put our full resources toward improving the situation and winning races," said Hendrick. "It's going to be a collective effort that includes all of our drivers, all of our crew chiefs and all of our engineers. Everyone in our company will be involved on some level."

Hendrick has said repeatedly that he would not make a change simply for the sake of change. In that regard, he has proven to be as good as his word. Today's announcement lays the groundwork for a newer, stronger, less disfunctional #88 team; a team capable of fulfilling Earnhardt's promise as a driver and giving Hendrick Motorsports a fourth championship contender.

George Still In Charge As Indy CEO

After a dizzying day of conflicting reports about the status of Tony George as CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, George has confirmed that he will remain at the helm of the family businesses.

SPEEDtv.com reported early Wednesday that George had been voted out during a meeting the previous evening in Indianapolis. The report said that a vote by the speedway’s Board of Directors – which includes George’s mother Mari Hulman-George and sisters Josie, Nancy and Kathy – reportedly turned the longtime CEO out, after expressing displeasure with the amount of money George has spent to bankroll the IndyCar Series and upgrade the speedway.

SPEEDTV.com said that Indianapolis Motor Speedway Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Belskus, and General Counsel Curt Brighton would likely oversee operations until a permanent replacement was named.

By mid-afternoon, however, the Indianapolis Star was reporting that George has not, in fact, been ousted, a report that was confirmed just after 4 pm ET in a press release from the Hulman-George family. That release said, “At a regular meeting of the board of directors of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Tuesday, May 26, board members asked Tony George, chief executive officer of the IMS companies, to devise a plan for management of Hulman & Company, the Indy Racing League, Clabber Girl and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that would allow him to focus on the business which requires the greatest attention. This plan is to be presented to the board at a meeting later this year.”

IMS Chairman of the Board Mari Hulman George said, “There was a general discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing all of our companies and where most of our energies need to be spent. All of our properties are doing well, given the challenges of the current economy. The Indy Racing League represents our greatest growth opportunity and therefore deserves the most attention at this point.”

Tony George said, “Contrary to published reports, I continue to serve as CEO of IMS. Our board of directors met yesterday, and we did discuss how to best confront challenges and exploit opportunities facing our businesses. This is nothing new and is something that we continually do as a board. But no changes in leadership or responsibility have been made.

“We don’t normally comment on board deliberations concerning our family business,” said George. “However, the widespread, inaccurate reports and rumors caused my mother and me to conclude that it was necessary to set the record straight. If changes are made in the management of the company that are newsworthy, we will announce them when they are made.”

Where Will Danica Land?

Okay, let's just assume that Danica Patrick is coming to NASCAR.

There are plenty of reasons to doubt Patrick's interest in driving stock cars, but for the sake of discussion, let us assume that her new agents -- the high-powered IMG Sports Marketing Agency -- have finally convinced her that NASCAR is indeed the land of milk and honey.

If Patrick does elect to jump the fence, she will instantly rival Dale Earnhardt, Jr., as NASCAR's most visible (and talked about) star, in addition to tripling her already lofty annual income in one fell swoop. But where would she land? Which NASCAR team would be willing -- and able -- to field cars for Patrick and guide her through what certainly would be a difficult transition from open wheels to full fenders?

The possibilities are numerous.

Patrick drove a Daytona Prototype owned by Richard Childress Racing in this year's Rolex 24 at Daytona. However, RCR is currently at the four-team limited mandated by NASCAR, and would have to release either Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer or Casey Mears to make room for Patrick.

Back in 2006, Roush-Fenway Racing owner Jack Roush tendered an open invitation for Patrick to drive for him, anytime she wanted. If that offer still stands -- and there is no reason to believe it does not – Roush would have to create room in an already overcrowded shop for Danica. Roush-Fenway already fields five Sprint Cup teams for drivers Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, David Ragan and Jamie McMurray. One of those drivers will move across the parking lot to Yates Racing next season to satisfy NASCAR’s four-team cap, and adding Patrick to the mix will crowd the equation even further.

Hendrick Motorsports shares a sponsor -- GoDaddy.com -– with Patrick, and pre-sponsored drivers are a luxury in NASCAR these days. Like Childress, however, Rick Hendrick is already at the four-team limit, and would have to jettison Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin or Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to make room for Danica. While Martin is expected to cut back to a part-time schedule in 2011, Brad Keselowski is waiting in the wings to replace him.

Stewart-Haas Racing – a Hendrick satellite team -- could provide a home for Patrick, without forcing Rick Hendrick to fire anyone.

However, the most likely spot for Patrick to land is Joe Gibbs Racing. JGR is also represented by IMG Sports Marketing, and Danica tested a Nationwide Series car for the team in 2002. Most importantly, JGR has plenty of room for a fourth Sprint Cup Toyota under NASCAR's four-team cap, and coach Joe Gibbs has long said that he would like to add that fourth car, if the circumstances were right. A driver of Patrick's caliber -- complete with sponsorship -- is simply too good for JGR to pass up.

Is Danica serious about NASCAR this time around? It's impossible to say. But if she does opt for a change of racing venue in 2010, she will have no shortage of suitors.

Sometimes Racing Is Hard Work!

Sean McCarthy's Sirius Speedway/Lenny's Shoe and Apparel/MK Richardson Insurance Chevrolet took a hard ride into the concrete during qualifying for Sunday's Memorial Day Classic at Vermont's Thunder Road International Speedbowl. Click HERE for a video link to the crash footage.

In addition to a bit of body damage, the front frame was pushed more than eight inches to the left.

After a long night of work, the car ran in Sunday's main event, only to be knocked out in yet another crash. Isn't racing fun??

Mayfield's Attorney Breaks Silence In Exclusive Sirius Speedway Interview

Jeremy Mayfield's new attorney, Bill Diehl, spoke publically for the first time Wednesday, speaking exclusively with Sirius Speedway about his client, a possible lawsuit against NASCAR and the impact of the controversy on Mayfield's career.

Dave Moody – Has there been, or will there be a lawsuit filed in this matter?

Bill Diehl – First question, no lawsuit has been filed. Will there be a lawsuit? That will depend on what happens between Jeremy and NASCAR, which ought to be known in the next couple of days.

DM – What kind of conversations are being had between Jeremy, yourself, NASCAR and their representatives to try and settle this?

BD – They’re obviously focused on whether or not Jeremy was suspended properly. Is what happened to him legitimate, should he stay suspended, should he have to go through some type of rehabilitation that they’ve asked for? Has he been mistreated and have they improperly deprived him of a way to make a living. There are (also) some side issues. They’ve said a lot of things about him that Jeremy doesn’t believe are true. There’s a separate remedy for that kind of behavior.

DM – Specifically, what has been said?

DB – I read a report where Mr. France gratuitously announced that the serious recreational drug use by Mr. Mayfield was very difficult, very bad. Accusing somebody that’s driving a racecar a couple hundred miles an hour of serious recreational drug use, that’s probably not a very good thing to say about him. Especially if it’s not true.

DM – Can you tell us, what specific substance has NASCAR accused Jeremy of having in his system?

BD – We have two reports that they furnished me (with) yesterday and then they just sent me one a couple hours ago that they hadn’t furnished. I’m not going to talk about them yet. If we get in a situation where we’ve got to talk about them, we’ll talk about them.

DM – Do the two reports come to the same conclusion? Do they name the same substance?

BD – I’m not going to tell you what the reports say. I’ve read lots of stuff that indicates what the NASCAR reps have said and what this guy (Dr.) Black has said. The game about what is in the report is just that at this point. It’s a game. But I’m not going to participate in that game currently, beyond saying that they finally furnished two reports which they probably should have given to Mr. Mayfield long before this week.

DM – Jeremy has said from the start that this all boils down to a prescription medication that was prescribed by a doctor for his allergies, combined with a couple of Claritin D tablets that he took on the day in question at Richmond. Can you tell me what the prescription medicine that he took was?

BD – No, I won’t reveal that yet. But again, that’s something that he’s told NASCAR. They know what it was, and they’ve gotten the information from the doctor. They’re dealing with everything Jeremy could have furnished them (with) about anything that he’d taken, according to Jeremy. He did take a prescription drug, he does have a medical doctor who prescribed it, and they have that data and they had the information about the Claritin D.

DM – What would it take at this point to avoid taking this to court?

BD – Some type of acknowledgement that what happened was a mistake on the part of somebody, in connection with what they did and how they did it. We’re exploring that with them. We can’t put Humpty Dumpty back together again. They’ve said it, they’ve suspended him, and we know there are a couple of reports because we now see them. Somebody is going to have to come forward and acknowledge that, well, we thought we did what we were supposed to do, (but) maybe we made a mistake, let’s try it again.

DM – What’s Jeremy’s frame of mind and attitude right now?

BD – I think he’s very upset and he’s insulted. He’s had a 17-year career, had some successes. He’s just getting started with his own team, and this sort of takes you out at the knees if you’re suddenly accused of being a recreational drug user and you’re suspended from doing what you get paid to do. He wants everybody to know that he’s not guilty of what he’s accused of.

DM – Is there any unofficial timeline at this point for you to decide whether or not this takes the next step into the legal system?

BD – Yes, there is. But I’m not going to tell you what it is.

COMMENTARY: NASCAR Needs To End Mayfield Debate

The man in charge of NASCAR's substance abuse program says he personally told Jeremy Mayfield what substance had been found in the driver’s system. Dr. David Black is the CEO of Aegis Sciences Corporation, and he said yesterday that he identified the specific drug found in Mayfield’s test sample in several conversations with Mayfield over a three-day period last week.

Mayfield claimed Saturday that he has yet to be informed what drug caused the positive test, and repeated his earlier belief that a combination of a prescription drug and Claritin-D led to his suspension from NASCAR. Black has repeatedly rejected that explanation, saying the drugs Mayfield cited could not have produced the results in question.

Black's latest salvo notwithstanding, there is little doubt that Mayfield is winning the public relations battle with NASCAR.

His appearance at Saturday’s Sprint All-Star Race was carefully choreographed, right down to the videographer and audio engineer he brought along to document the outing. It’s no coincidence that Mayfield climbed atop a hospitality trailer emblazoned with the logos of NASCAR’s most popular driver – Dale Earnhardt, Jr. – to wait for the media onslaught he certainly knew would ensue. And when it did, he was more than happy to climb down and tell his tale … yet again.

Mayfield knew he wasn’t supposed to be at Lowe’s Motor Speedway Saturday night. Too many drivers, crewchiefs and crewmembers have been barred from various speedways in recent years while serving suspensions for there to be any misunderstanding about that. But the opportunity to make his case yet again, smack in the middle of NASCAR’s All-Star celebration, was too good to pass up. Being unceremoniously escorted off the property by track security didn’t hurt his image as the embattled working man, either.

Faced with a “he-said/she-said” situation like this, people tend to believe individuals over corporations. We want to believe that no NASCAR driver would ever abuse drugs, even though Shane Hmiel, Aaron Fike and the late Kevin Grubb have provided tragic proof to the contrary.

NASCAR could end this whole, ugly debate instantly by publicizing what specific substance was found in Mayfield’s system, allowing medical experts to determine – once and for all – whether Mayfield is the unwitting victim of a tragic mix-up, or a simple drug addict. NASCAR refuses to do so, however, clinging stubbornly to the belief that they have no right to divulge information that Mayfield himself seems unwilling to divulge.

I consider Jeremy Mayfield a friend. We reached out to him last fall to provide expert analysis on NASCAR’s 2008 Chase For The Sprint Cup, and he did an outstanding job. I have never seen or heard anything from Jeremy that made me suspect drug abuse. However, I also have no reason to believe that NASCAR would randomly destroy a driver’s career by leveling an unfounded accusation, as Mayfield accuses them of doing. I am personally torn by the whole debate, as are many in the NASCAR garage. The one thing I do know, however, is that I’m tired of hearing people call each other liars.

At this point, NASCAR has said all it needs to say. They have stated repeatedly that the substance in question was not alcohol, an OTC medication or a legally prescribed drug. They say they have informed Mayfield – on three different occasions – what the substance is, and why he was suspended. Continuing to play “he-said/she-said” with Mayfield is pointless, and does nothing to clarify an admittedly murky situation.

In my view, it’s time for NASCAR to turn the page on Jeremy Mayfield and make the next move his. Leave him to either attend rehab as required by the sanctioning body – something he has defiantly insisted he will not do – or file a lawsuit against NASCAR, making the results of his drug test a matter of public record, once and for all.

It’s time for this daily dog and pony show to end, and for Mayfield to take action, one way or another. And better yet, it’s time to get back to racing.

Mayfield Appears At LMS, Says NASCAR Refuses To Provide Details

Despite being suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy, Jeremy Mayfield showed up at Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race.

Mayfield told reporters, “I'm alive, well and healthy, (and) here to watch my car run,” and complained that he has not yet been told by NASCAR what specific substance led to his suspension. “They've indicated something different every day of the week,” he said, repeating earlier claims that a mixture of an unnamed prescription drug and two Claritin D pills caused his positive test result.

He strongly denied using illegal drugs of any kind, and complained of being “labeled. The damage is done. It's huge. My family, my friends, everybody that knows me knows better.”

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston strongly refuted Mayfield’s claims, saying, "all NASCAR members who violate the policy, including Jeremy, are notified of the substance that caused the failure.“

He said Mayfield has been verbally informed of the substance in question by NASCAR's medical review officer on three different occasions in the past week. Poston also said Mayfield misunderstood the terms of his suspension, which should have banned him from the property at Lowes Motor Speedway. He said NASCAR officials have now spoken with Mayfield, and that he has agreed to comply.

Mayfield was defiant when asked about plans to complete a NASCAR-mandated rehabilitiation program as part of his effort to be reinstated.

"I'm not going to rehabilitation," he vowed. "Why would I? Would you go to rehab if you didn't have a problem?"

NASCAR CEO Brian France shed light on Mayfield's case late last week, calling it “a serious violation” of the sanctioning body's substance abuse policy. He added that he considers performance-enhancing and recreational drugs to be serious violations.

France also attempted to reassure drivers that over-the-counter medication and the use of legitimately prescribed prescriptions will not lead to NASCAR sanctions. He said a number of drivers have already tested positive for those substances this season, and been cleared of any wrongdoing after conversations between NASCAR and their doctors.

He also defended NASCAR's refusal to name the substance that led to Mayfield's suspension, saying, “This is a privacy area, because we’re talking about somebody’s medical and health records. There is nothing to be gained by disclosing exactly what the substance (was) in Jeremy’s case. There’s no benefit to the competitors. There’s no benefit to anyone to jeopardize someone else’s privacy.”

Quite Possibly The Funniest Video In The History Of Motorsports!

Sirius Speedway fave Pete Pistone and his colleague Jeff Wackerlin from RacingOne.com have assembled this hilarious spoof of the finish of Sunday's race at Talladega. Enjoy!

April Fools! Bogus Report Rattles NASCAR Nation

Depending on your point of view, Car And Driver magazine has authored one of the best April Fools jokes in recent memory, or the worst ever.

Author Jared Gall penned an article late yesterday claiming that President Barack Obama had ordered both General Motors and Chrysler to end their involvement in NASCAR by the end of the 2009 season, or lose their share of federal bailout dollars. Perhaps the author's name -- Gall -- should have provided a clue that something was amiss on April 1. But for a brief time yesterday evening, NASCAR Nation was badly shaken by what now appears to have been a completely bogus report.

The story quoted Obama saying, "Automakers used to operate on the principle of 'win on Sunday, sell on Monday,' but the Auto Task Force's research just doesn't validate that as true."

Car And Driver also reported the government’s automotive oversight committee had concluded that NASCAR’s new Car Of Tomorrow eliminates the possibility of meaningful technological development, saying, "NASCAR is a racing series that regulates down to the smallest detail of the cars. There's no technological development to speak of."

The story also quoted the unattributed government statement as saying, “Racing has been said to improve on-road technology, but frankly, NASCAR almost flaunts its standing among the lowest-tech forms of motorsport. This nation's way forward does not hinge on decades-old technology. We need new, and we need innovation." Car And Driver said Ford will also be required to exit the sport, if the Detroit automaker requests federal bailout assistance. Finally, it claimed that NASCAR officials are considering replacing Chevrolet and Dodge with Hyundai.

Happy April Fools Day, everyone!

This One's Not A Joke: The Charlotte Observer reported today that Sonic Automotive -- a Charlotte-based Fortune 500 company led by Speedway Motorsports Inc President and CEO Bruton Smith – has reported major financial losses for 2008, and could be forced to file for bankruptcy protection.

Sonic is one of the nation's largest auto dealers, with more than 150 locations nationwide. As of December 31, the company had about $1.9 billion in outstanding debt, with approximately $1.5 billion of that debt scheduled to mature in 2009 and 2010. It posted a loss of nearly $686 million last year, after showing a $95.5 million profit in 2007. Sonic shares closed a $1.60 yesterday -- prior to the company’s announcement – down 12 percent from Monday and approximately 90 percent from a year ago.

The company’s annual report blamed the struggling economy and slumping auto sales for its losses, adding, "If we do not restructure or obtain additional financing to satisfy our substantial debt obligations, we may not be able to continue as a going concern (and) avoid filing for bankruptcy protection."

Published reports say that the collateral associated with Sonic’s outstanding debt includes millions of shares of SMI stock.

Bruton Smith Is At It Again

Bruton Smith popped off at the mouth again Friday, not-so-coincidentally at the kickoff of his Atlanta Motor Speedway race weekend.

Smith is a brilliant businessman who understands the value of free publicity. He also isn't afraid of making outlandish (some would say foolish) statements in an effort to attract that publicity. Every time NASCAR's traveling circus raises its tent at a Smith-owned speedway, media members brace for a new round of "Brutonisms," as the SMI boss offers his opinion on what's wrong with the world of NASCAR racing.

And the way he sees it, there's plenty wrong.

Friday, Smith put the crosshairs on Homestead-Miami Speedway; a track not-so-coincidentally owned by rival International Speedway Corporation. He said Homestead-Miami does not deserve to host NASCAR's annual season finale, and that the race should be moved to another venue; specifically Atlanta or Las Vegas.

“They don’t have the seating, they don’t have parking," said Smith of the Homestead-Miami oval. "The event should be held somewhere else. If NASCAR was in a position to do the right thing for the sport -- and I would say that they’re not necessarily in that position, (and that) some of the things that they do is self-serving -- why would you have the last race of the year in some Godforsaken area that is north of Cuba?

“Why don’t (they) pick a place that can accommodate the final race of the year with seats and parking; somewhere that appreciates it?”

Smith's diatribe achieved its desired result; generating commentary in the media and outrage among South Florida NASCAR fans. Oscar, a Miami-based listener to Sirius NASCAR Radio e-mailed, "I am a first generation Cuban-American. My parents are from Cuba, and immigrated to the USA during the Cuban Revolution of 1959. I take great exception to Bruton Smith’s comments about NASCAR’s season ending weekend being held `in a Godforsaken place just north of Cuba.'

"Mr. Smith is being disrespectful, not only to the people and community of South Florida, but also to the one million Cuban Americans that make up this great community," said the writer. "His comments are no doubt fueled by his greed to get another date for his Las Vegas or Atlanta tracks. He obviously doesn’t want to sacrifice dates from any of his tracks, so what the hell, let’s start a campaign to trash South Florida. I wish Mr. Smith the best of luck in all his business endeavors, but I also warn him that South Florida will not give up our race easily."

Homestead-Miami President Curtis Gray also defended his track today, reminding Smith that in addition to NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend, the South Florida oval also hosts season finales for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and the IndyCar Series.

“It’s not a fluke that all of North America’s premier racing series have chosen Homestead-Miami Speedway to host their 2009 championship finales,” said Gray. “Bruton’s welcome to join the party this fall, but seeing as how Ford Championship Weekend is a perennial sellout each November, tell him he needs get on the horn April 20 when tickets for all six championships go on sale, or he could get left out in the cold.”

For the record, Bruton Smith is well aware that Homestead-Miami Speedway's Sprint Cup finale has become an annual grandstand sellout. He knows that the track has become one of he more competitive venues on the circuit since ISC rebuilt it (for the second time) a few years ago. He also knows that ISC's France Family is not about to hand him the final race of the season, just because he wants it.

This is, after all, the same Bruton Smith who annually lobbies fans to "tell NASCAR that you want a second race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway," knowing that he could make that race happen before lunchtime, if he really wanted to do so.

This is the same Bruton Smith who blusters endlessly about Kentucky Speedway deserving a Sprint Cup race in 2010, while keeping the only man standing in the way of that race -- former owner Jerry Carroll -- on the dole as a paid consultant.

This is the same Bruton Smith who bellows about moving the NASCAR finale to Atlanta, while ignoring the fact that yesterday's race there featured a 125,000-seat grandstand filled with approximately 94,000 fans.

Maybe I'm biased. After all, I am employed by MRN Radio, which is owned by International Speedway Corporation. Or perhaps I simply recognize meaningless, Barnum-and-Bailey hucksterism when I hear it, over and over again.

Saving Money, But At What Cost?

It may be time to revisit NASCAR’s new Camping World Truck Series pit stop policy.

The procedure was implemented in an attempt to save teams money by reducing the number of over-the-wall crewmembers from seven to five, and prohibiting refueling and tire changes during a single pit stop. Unfortunately, the rule appears to have made no difference in the total number of over-the-wall crewmen utilized by most teams, while having an adverse effect on the competitiveness of the series.

Last weekend’s race at Auto Club Speedway was one of the dullest in recent memory. Not all the blame can be placed on the new pit rules, since the Fontana oval has never ranked high on NASCAR’s list of most competitive venues. However, when the final 53 laps ran caution-free Saturday, teams were forced to run the final quarter of the race on worn out tires, negating any real possibility for side-by-side racing.

Ron Hornaday apologized to fans afterward, saying, “I don't think (they) got their money out of that race.”

Fellow series champion Todd Bodine said he was unable to run flat-out at the finish, due to his team’s inability to change badly worn tires. “The tires got hot, and I started pushing. I had a little vibration and wasn't going to take the chance."

Series veteran Rick Crawford told Sirius Speedway Wednesday that the new pit procedure has not saved his team any money, since NASCAR had already mandated a reduction in the total number of traveling crewmembers; from 14 to 12.

“We’re sending five tire changers over the wall, just like always,” he said. “Then, a lap later, we’re coming back to pit road and sending a fuel and catch-can man over the wall. We’re still using seven guys to get the truck serviced. But now, it takes us two stops to do it, instead of one.”

Crawford questioned the wisdom of doubling the number of pit stops, calling it a potential safety hazard for drivers, crewmen and corner workers.

“When we come off pit road after changing tires, we’re hauling butt to get caught up to the pace car and come back in for fuel,” he explained. “I’m worried about the corner workers and safety people. There’s no reason for us to have to do that.”

“NASCAR’s goal was to cut the total number of crew people we have to travel,” said Crawford. “They accomplished that by cutting the number of hard cards from 14 to 12. The new pit stop rules haven’t accomplished anything, and I’m afraid that they’re ruining our races.”

The next two stops on the Camping World Truck Series schedule are at Atlanta and Martinsville; two tracks that are notoriously tough on tires. Atlanta is generally marked by long periods of uninterrupted green-flag racing, while Martinsville features one of the tightest pit roads in all of NASCAR. With an off-week to examine the early results, here's hoping that NASCAR will reconsider its new pitstop procedure and put the spark back into what is arguably the sanctioning body's most competitive division.

Kyle Petty Upset With RPM's "Chicken Crap Diplomacy"

Kyle Petty said yesterday that he is unhappy that Richard Petty Motorsports failed to inform him before running a retro-paint scheme commemorating his first career victory on AJ Allmendinger’s Valvoline Dodge in the Daytona 500.

Petty told reporters last week that he was "crushed” by the move, adding, “I was hurt and I'm not going to get over it for a while. That was my paint job and my car and my number and my stuff from my first win. Not for Petty Enterprises or GEM or whoever that is."

Petty phoned Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway yesterday to clarify his comments, and also address what some see as a rift between himself and his legendary father’s new race team.

“That #44 -- Petty blue and white with Valvoline on the quarterpanels -- was the car I drove in my first ARCA race at Daytona 30 years ago,” said Petty. ”(RPM) went to Daytona with a car lettered up in that paint scheme, and nobody had the cohones to call me and tell me that they were doing it on the 30th anniversary of my first win. That’s what I was crushed about.”

Petty called the move, “a little bit of chicken crap diplomacy,” calling his ARCA win “a personal thing (that has) nothing to do with the #44, George Gillett, Boston Ventures or GEM. It is something I would like to have had the opportunity to commemorate, not somebody else.”

Petty repeated earlier comments about the 2008 sale of Petty Enterprises to Boston Ventures, saying he feels his family team ceased to exist when Boston Ventures came aboard and moved the team from its longtime home in Level Cross, NC. He also conceded that at some point, all parties will have to agree to disagree, and move on.

“Definitely,” said Petty. “I was at a press conference announcing a golf tournament for the Victory Junction Gang Camp, and the question was, `Were you invited to the press conference, or made aware that they were running a retro paint scheme?’ The answer to that was, `no,’ and when they asked how I felt about it, I said, ‘crushed.’ I don’t care about getting an invitation, I just wanted a heads-up on it. When I came to Daytona, I got blindsided by it.

“If the Chicago Bulls are having a Reunion Tour and they don’t invite Michael Jordan, that’s their fault," said Petty. "If they don’t want to (include him), that’s their deal. But I’m sure they would give him a heads-up and say, `This is what we’re going to do, we’re just not going to include you.’"

Petty also insisted that there is no rift between himself and his father, saying he had answered a very specific question, and that his answer had been taken out of context.

“I sat and talked (to the media) for an hour and a half, and they wrote a 25-word story,” he said. “It never comes across right. That’s not the writer’s fault or the editor’s fault, it just happens. Sometimes things get taken out of context and lead (people) in a different direction.

"This whole issue revolved around one single car, one single press conference and one single heads-up. I didn’t get that, and I was teed off about it. That’s as simple as it was."