Mayfield fails the test

The bomb dropped on NASCAR today, but the ramifications aren't quite as severe with scrub driver Jeremy Mayfield failing a drug test. The Associated Press is reporting that Mayfield failed the drug test last week at Richmond and will be suspended indefinitely. Two crewmen from separate teams failed, as well, and face similar punishment.

This could have been devastating for the sport if a superstar was implicated, but the loss of Mayfield, who has been off the radar ever since his release from Evernham Racing in 2006, will not be a serious blow. He started his own team this year and made a handful of races, including the Daytona 500. Mayfield is the first Sprint Cup driver to fail the drug test since NASCAR implemented the testing policy, so this should be an eye-opener for any other drug abusers in the sport.

The irony is that Mayfield's failed test last week came at the same track where he had arguably his greatest triumph. Mayfield won the August 2004 race at Richmond, catapulting him into the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Now, his career appears to be over. He started his own team because no major owners wanted him, but it seems doubtful Mayfield will ever find a sponsor to support his professional habit.