Dale Jr: None of us felt safe

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis sit down with Jeremy Mayfield and discuss NASCAR's implementation of drug testing.

The year was 2009, and Mayfield was a race-winner in NASCAR. May 1, 2009 he was called to perform a random drug test at Richmond Raceway. The test, and the result eight days later, would become one of the sport's biggest controversies of the era, and play out publicly and in the U.S. Court system. To this day, Mayfield denies any drug use. He contends that the positive test was a result of a combination of prescribed Adderall and over-the-counter Claritin-D. He was the first driver to trip a positive test under NASCAR's new substance abuse policy.

LISTEN

[matposton]

I am so glad to see that Dirty Mo finally brought Jeremy Mayfield on. I feel this is a LONG over due episode.

[anthonyjwhite]

He was my favorite driver until this went down. Now that he is talking, I have my doubts about NASCAR. All the media had Mayfield portrayed as a drug and crime kingpin. I did not realize he was setup. The guy with the stolen property almost sounded like a police plant. Thank you Dale Jr for letting him tell his side. I can’t wait for next week’s episode.

[steventweed]

Mad respect for Dale Jr., not just for loving the sport but also holding NASCAR accountable when warranted.

[jebstuart]

Brian France is the last person to have anything to do with a banned substance.

[RollerCoasterLineProductions]

Seems like Jr is bashing nascar more and more as of late, which I think is a good thing

[road]

Hats off and a round of applause to Dale, Mike, Kelly, and the rest of folks it took, to have the courage to have Jeremy on and let him tell his saga. Personally, I believe him. I remember when it all went down, and it smelled of vendetta then.

[ydoucare]

People who do meth aren't casual drug users. Jeremy's appearance alone is enough proof that he does not do drugs, especially those he's accused of. Jeremy was a casualty of NASCAR wanting to prove to all of it's sponsors and funding sources that "hey look, we're serious about this. See! Our policy works!" Jeremy's story has never really changed at all, and he's told it countless times.

[tnrodgers]

Jeremy was the one of the hottest drivers with Dodge at the time. I don’t remember any other driver being reported on the level of illegal drugs before this. As a fan, it was shocking and truly unbelievable. The politics off the track ruin the sport. Glad Jeremy can speak and clear his name.

[stevenmartines]

I’ve been waiting a long time for this. I heard his side of the story already on his channel but for Dale Jr to give him the platform to speak to everyone in the Nascar world pretty much was great.

[oNxShOtxkilL]

I know there are two sides every story but what really got me on Mayfield’s side was bascially saying Brain France’s stance on the drug policy was the pot calling the kettle black

[thomaspritchard]

Thanks so much for having Jeremy on and letting him tell his side of those events. I always wondered how his story would sound. Thanks for having the courage to have him as a Guest. I learned something about both of yalls characters today! Best of Luck to the both of You in the future!

[glassturf]

I know this has nothing to do with the interview, but I love that Excitebike t-shirt Jr. is wearing. I gotta have that! More reasons why America loves Dale

[canineguy]

Dale Jr. is a wonderful interviewer. Smart, articulate, and very listenable he makes his guests comfortable, but still can ask pointed and sensitive questions. Mike Davis is great too.

[mattrzewnicki]

I'm so happy to see him on your show. He was a guest that has an amazing story to tell. He was a driver I always pulled for, but not my favorite. Top 5 I'd say. I followed him through social media and news articles along his racing with the J2 stuff with the modifieds. He was telling an amazing story on youtube about the drug test stuff and what was happening. Amazing story. Glad to see him on and letting everyone else hear his story. Great guy. A++++ episode!

[joshuaharris]

One of my guys on my project tested dirty on a random drug test for THC. He had never even partook in said drug. I had to lay him off due to company policy, and told him to lawyer up. He's still dealing with all of the issues and being treated like a weed smoker. He's back to work, but is continuing with the lawsuit. First things he did was take an independent test, his lawyer sent him for a hair test. All tests came back negative. He had to report to drug classes and the instructor had stated that his THC levels would exceed what Snoop Dogg would test for. His story always reminded me of Jeremy's story.

[jamesscully]

I listened to the entire first episode and Mayfield got railroaded based on a person vendetta by Brian France. It was, holy cow, corruption right from the top to purposely end a driver's career because he aired a car owner's personal dirty laundry in public. I wonder what Steve O'Donnell is going to say when he hears this, but basically Brian France had it in for Mayfield because France felt the car owners were the sport and drivers bit players that could be replaced. The minute Mayfield embarrassed Evernham, he put a target on his back and NASCAR, no doubt with pressure from Brian France, was going to make sure never raced in NASCAR again. What subsequently happened to Brian France proves that karma is real.

[steveogle]

Great interview. I spent 37 years in the Army and I've peed in more cups then I can count. When it comes to the Army testing, when you are notified you've tested positive you really don't have a leg to stand on. By the time you find out your sample has been tested multiple times, with each test being more stringent than the previous. On top of that a doctor has reviewed your medical records checking for possible prescription issues. I think Jr hit it on the head. They started the program on a kneejerk reaction and didn't consider 2nd & 3rd order effects. It sounds like it's a zero tolerance policy, which is ridiculous to begin with. For example, by establishing testing threshold levels of the more common chemicals Jeremy's Adderall may have been within tolerance. The whole thin sounds fishy.

[hunternixonfishing]

I used to be that guy that believed nascar at first when all this came out. I took their word for it but after listening to this I am 100 % sold and on mayfield a side here! He was absolutely made an example of and railroaded by NASCAR.

[randysiler]

Listened last night to part 1 podcast. Absolutely answered a lot of questions l had years ago. The way the media covered it back then was BS. I hope Jeremy gets a chance to race in SRX series. Thanks to everyone for a great podcast. Kudos to Jeremy and his wife for handling this injustice so well.

[lbi]

Jeremy was my favorite driver. LOVED watching him beat Dale Sr. at Pocono doing to him what Dale used to do to everyone. I don't watch NASCAR anymore. I wonder why NASCAR set him up like they did. What did they stand to gain by railroading a decent (not great) driver?