"Tryin' to get Over"

If you are a devotee of 70's music, you will remember these words from the theme from "Superfly" sung by one Curtis Mayfield.

The more I think about the Jeremy Mayfield situation, the more that song sticks in my mind. The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals vacated Mayfield's injunction against NASCAR's suspension of him in May for failing a drug test. The NASCAR Vice President for Corporate Communications, Jim Hunter, says the decision "is an important decision for NASCAR to make fair and equitable regulations for the safety of competitiors and spectators at the track." The sanctioning body will continue to make its case for as long as the litigation continues.

That litigation involves a suit against NASCAR by Mayfield asserting that the organization's suspension of him was inaccurate and that his ability to earn a living as a stock car driver is damaged by that action. NASCAR countersued for what they perceived as damages and costs incurred defending their actions.

There are some unconfirmed reports circulating that Mayfield has signed a deal to sell his team. So is this how the soap opera ends? Do we ever see him in a car again? Stay tuned.

RANT

A short rant on the subject du jour in NASCAR...that is the revelation of Aaron Fike's use of heroin and racing under its influence, and NASCAR's lack of a mandatory drug testing policy.

How many more instances have there been? That is particularly shocking, and shows a monumental lack of judgement on Fike's part--his selfishness in using drugs put spectators, officials, fellow drivers and others involved in the process in jeopardy. It also calls into question NASCAR's policy--or lack therof.

The sanctioning body needs to get into the 21st century and institute a random, mandatory testing policy for illegal drugs for anyone who holds a NASCAR credential--from Brian France on down to any driver, team owner, team member or sponsor representative. The people who insure NASCAR need to make a call yesterday to tell the powers that be in NASCAR that it will pull the sanctioning body's coverage until such policy is in place.

Sprint needs to be on the phone with France as well.

Unfortunately, like the safety issues in the late 90's to early 2001, it will take a drug related injury--or worse--for the sanctioning body to finally do something. The track and garage area is dangerous enough on a quiet day; those who drive and work there need sober, clear judgement to do their jobs. If I'm there I accept the normal risks of being in a garage area and around a track. The risk of injury--or worse-- posed by the selfishness and subsequent bad judgement of a drug user is totally and always unacceptable.. It (drug use) affects more than the user.

As for the offenders, I believe that all people should get a second chance--and only a second chance--in routine cases. If the offender's drug use results in an injury or worse, or if the offender relapses, then the offender should be banned, and if monetary damages result, then restitution should be made.

The outside legal system takes a very dim (properly so) view of drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and drugs. NASCAR does as well--but needs to bring that aspect of its management, like it did with its timing and scoring, into the 21st century.

/RANT