Carpentier to Return to the Driver’s Seat of the #55: Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced that Patrick Carpentier will return to the driver’s seat of the #55 NAPA Auto PArts Toyota for driver Michael Waltrip at the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup event at Watkins Glen International. Earlier this season, the Canadian driver produced an 11th-place finish for Waltrip at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway. “Patrick is being rewarded for perserverence,” said Waltrip, who has 22 starts that equate to one top-five, four top-10 and 14 top-20 finishes at the 2.45-mile road course. “At Sonoma, he drove for me and started out with a car he wasn’t happy with. He worked with my crew chief Bootie (Barker) and my NAPA boys to get an 11th-place finish. We also had a little deal on the side. If he was able to finish solidly at Infineon Raceway and he deemed the experience of working with my team as fun and wanted to do again, then he and I would ask NAPA to allow him to drive again. We all agreed so Patrick will drive the #55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota for NAPA and me at Watkins Glen.” The NAPA Auto Parts team prepared for the upcoming event by testing with Carpentier at Virginia International Raceway on July 22nd
Posts Tagged NASCAR
Danica Patrick
Jul 31
Patrick in no hurry to rush decision on future: Danica Patrick is in no hurry to make a decision about her racing future. The IndyCar star is in the final year of her contract with the Andretti-Green Racing team. She has been considering a jump to stock cars and recently toured several NASCAR shops in North Carolina. Chip Ganassi owns NASCAR and IndyCar teams. He said last week Patrick should stay in the open-wheel series because she’s close to making the last step toward a championship. Patrick says she’s not surprised by Ganassi’s position, but that won’t affect her decision.
Carter buys Mayfield’s team: Tony Furr, Jeremy Mayfield’s long-time crew chief, says that Mayfield has sold his [#41] team [hauler and cars] to Georgia businessman, John Carter, who has been in racing for a while [the #08 Carter Simo Racing team], and Furr says he expected Labonte to run the rest of the season with the team, in as many races as it can make. Furr says the team will continue running out of Mayfield’s old shop. Furr is overseeing the operation, and said Friday morning Mayfield may well be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway sometime this weekend. However NASCAR won a legal appeal Friday afternoon in the U.S. 4th circuit court of appeals that should put Mayfield back on suspension. The latest legal move, in NASCAR’s favor, would apparently put Mayfield back on suspension, until the court case itself can be resolved. And that case might not get going for several months.”John Carter owns it, bought it from Jeremy,” Furr says. “I haven’t talked with Jeremy in about a week so I don’t know if he’ll be here. Terry is going to run the car wherever we run it, and we may run it the rest of the year, don’t know yet.” Toyota’s Joey Arrington is doing the motors; Jeremy Lafave is the crew chief. Furr says he himself “is mainly a consultant.”(MikeMulhern.net), also as announced a few weeks ago, Boris Said is scheduled to run some races in the #08, running a Ford with Frankie Stoddard as the crew chief, supposedly at Watkins Glen and Talladega. No word if Mayfield’s #41 team owner race attempts (12 attempts) and owners points transferred over to the #08 team.
Court rules in NASCAR’s favor; Mayfield suspended: An appeals court has ruled in NASCAR’s favor, granting its request to keep Jeremy Mayfield off the race track. The decision Friday by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals means Mayfield is once again suspended for failing a May 1 random drug test. A federal judge lifted the driver’s suspension July 1, and NASCAR appealed to the appeals court in Richmond, Va. That court issued a stay until the appeal can be heard. U.S. District Court Graham Mullen, who allowed Mayfield to return to competition, still has a request before him to overturn his earlier decision based on NASCAR’s claim that Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamine a second time. Mayfield is not entered in Sunday’s race at Indy
MAYFIELD SAGA CONT::
Jul 23
Mayfield’s hair may be tested: The back and forth between NASCAR and driver Jeremy Mayfield over drug allegations has gotten so bad that in Mayfield’s latest statement he describes the humiliation of having to go to the bathroom while someone watched. So what could bring it all to an end? It turns out it could come down to a piece of hair. “It’s like the bully in school,” Jeremy Mayfield told NewsChannel 36 last week. “Every three to five days I go get tested.” Who ends up in victory lane may come down to the difference between urinating in a cup and pulling a hair. “The drug that is incorporated into your hair — it stays there. You get a record, basically, of drug use with the hair,” said Dr. Ruth Winecker, the chief toxicologist for the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office. She says there’s no messing with hair. But no one has tested Mayfield’s hair, just his urine samples. “There are techniques people can use to try to cheat the system,” Winecker said. That’s exactly what both sides have accused each other of doing. NASCAR says Mayfield diluted his urine even before testing positive for meth, and Mayfield says NASCAR did something to his urine. NewsChannel 36 asked Mayfield’s attorney if they’ll be testing his hair as the judge in the case suggested several weeks ago. Attorney John Buric told us they are looking at the possibility, but right now they have been told Mayfield’s hair is too short.
Mayfield working on ‘big’ sponsor deal, seeking ride: Jeremy Mayfield, who says he’s “80% there” on getting a major sponsorship deal that might enable him to once again drive in the Sprint Cup Series, isn’t on the entry list for Sunday’s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. But that doesn’t mean he won’t be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend. Mayfield spoke by phone Tuesday morning, prior to meeting his legal team to discuss his ongoing court battle over NASCAR suspending him from competition as either an owner or a driver as of May 9, due to a positive result for methamphetamine in a random drug test taken May 1 at Richmond International Raceway. “I’d like to come to Indy just to come watch, and to try to get a ride,” Mayfield said. “We’re working on sponsorship deals as we speak and I’m telling you, if this works out, it’s going to be big. And what’s funny is, it could be big in all kinds of different ways, and all I needed was [NASCAR's] support, and to work with me on this. They could have had races sponsored and tracks sponsored and I could have been with one of their big teams with a big sponsor and I guess they don’t want that, because I didn’t need them to get it.” NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said that he is “unfamiliar with the possible sponsor opportunity” that Mayfield references. Yet, Mayfield’s description of the company he’s talking to was vivid. “Sounds like a union, doesn’t it?” Mayfield said. “Imagine if they got involved, and they’re behind me 200 percent right now. America’s not about a dictatorship no more and it never was.
Mayfield speaks to reporters; NASCAR Spiked test?
team sold? Going against the wishes of his attorney, embattled NASCAR Driver Jeremy Mayfield speaks for almost 20 minutes in a FOX Charlotte interview, Mayfield discusses his drug testing problems, his relationship with NASCAR and his plans going forward – including a film crew! See it at foxcharlotte.com.
AND WBTV Reporter Sarah Batista interviewed Mayfield at his home in Catawba County Thursday night. He accuses NASCAR of conspiring against him. “I’ve never done meth,” Mayfield said. Mayfield says there’s no doubt in his mind that NASCAR is trying to make an example out of him but he says he’s not going down without a fight. NASCAR says Mayfield tested positive once again for methamphetamine on July 6th less than two months after he was suspended for a similar infraction. Mayfield told WBTV the results of this test were not accurate. He claims the results turned up positive because he took allergy medicine and Adderal for his Attention Deficit Disorder. “When you look at 15 tests since May 1st, and two have tested positive, why are they all negative for meth except two?” Mayfield asked. He claims the only reason NASCAR won’t let him have the backup samples retested is because they “doctored it up” and “spiked my urine.” WBTV learned from a source on Thursday that Mayfield has sold his race shop and equipment located on Highway 49 in Harrisburg, NC
Nascar RACE!
Jul 11
Today is the last race that is going to be broadcast on TNT. It all starts live at 6:30pm est time zone on tnt. Green flag will be dropped around 8pm.
Next week the ESPN and NASCAR SPRINT Cup season start at indy for the brickyard 400.
Mayfield selling his team?
Jul 10
Mayfield defends himself in interview; considering selling team: UPDATE: Suspended Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield has broken his silence, vehemently denying allegations of drug use and adamantly defending himself from recent NASCAR claims in an exclusive interview with ESPN. “Every time there’s an action [by NASCAR], there’s going to be a reaction. From here on out,” Mayfield said in a phone interview Wednesday from his home in Statesville, N.C. “I try to be nice. I try to be respectful to them. I try to do everything right. But I’m not getting drug through the mud no more.” Mayfield repeated his stance that he never took methamphetamine. He also said he no longer consumes alcohol, largely due to the fact, he said, his father was a “bad alcoholic.” Asked if he had ever taken illegal drugs, Mayfield responded, “What are you calling illegal? I’ve drank beer. I don’t drink beer at all anymore. I don’t drink. Don’t do anything.” He said he feels as though NASCAR is attempting to make an example of him. “I feel like that’s exactly what they thought I was going to be. Exactly. To a ‘T,’” Mayfield said. “Now, all the sudden, Brian’s [France, NASCAR Chairman] coming back saying, ‘Well, we have positive tests all the time.’ Well, if it’s a zero-tolerance policy, how in the hell do you have people testing positive all the time? “Then he comes back and says there’s a list. I forget what big word he used — an exhaustive list of drugs. Everybody in the world has asked him why the drivers don’t have a list. What did he say? Now there’s a list — an exhaustive list. Right? Where’s it at?” Mayfield broke his silence in response to accusations by NASCAR on Wednesday that he had purposely delayed taking a drug test by more than seven hours on Monday. The comments infuriated Mayfield, who said he was sent on a “wild goose chase,” and was given just 18 minutes to get to a NASCAR-appointed lab to undergo testing. “I wasn’t running or hiding from anybody, because I don’t have to,” he said.(ESPN.com)(7-9-2009)
UPDATE: Unable to find funding since his suspension for failing a random drug test, Jeremy Mayfield is considering selling his race team. Shana Mayfield said Thursday she and her husband are considering selling their remaining inventory because they don’t have the cash to field a race team. Mayfield transferred ownership of the #41 Toyota to his wife following his May 9 suspension. “We are looking at all options at this point, since we cannot get sponsorship,” Shana Mayfield said.(Associated Press), for Mayfield’s timeline of events, NASCAR’s decision to appeal, and all the previous information on the Mayfield issue
updates on mayfield drug test
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# Mayfield’s latest drug test still being analyzed: NASCAR was still analyzing Jeremy Mayfield’s latest drug test Friday, four days after demanding the driver submit to a random test. “The process continues,” NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said, declining further comment. Dr. David Black, the program administrator, said Wednesday the test processed by Aegis Sciences Corp. would be completed by Friday at the latest. His Nashville, Tenn.-based lab typically needs four days to analyze a sample. “I just don’t think there’s anything to report right now. I did not come to work (Friday) expecting we’d get the results,” Mayfield attorney John Buric said. “But then again, I’m a lawyer, and I can wait a year for a ruling. So I am never too surprised when things take time. I wouldn’t read too much into it, honestly.”
NASCAR: Mayfield positive for meth: NASCAR has confirmed suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamines. The confirmation from NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston came Wednesday after Mayfield’s attorney mentioned the illegal substance several times during a 45-minute argument against the suspension. Mayfield has denied using methamphetamines. He’s in federal court in Charlotte, N.C., trying to have his suspension lifted in time to race this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Mayfield lawyer Bill Diehl argued that NASCAR’s testing system is flawed because Mayfield was never given the opportunity to have his backup “B” sample tested by an independent laboratory. The court recessed after Diehl’s argument and will reconvene at 2pm/et
NASCAR’S DRUG POLICY
Posted by the Charlotte Observer
NEWS UPDATE
Jun 22
Kahne to Toyota? by Chicago? UPDATE 2: Speculation is increasing that Dodge driver #9-Kasey Kahne, who runs for Richard Petty, could switch to a Toyota by the July 11th Sprint Cup race at Chicago. Petty has said that Chrysler has cut its payments to his four-car operation, and apparently Petty has only enough engine parts for one of the new Dodge NASCAR engines. Petty’s business partner, George Gillett, tried last season to make a deal with Toyota. There is no immediate comment from Toyota officials.(mikemulhern.net)(6-22-2009)
UPDATE: And speculation that Richard Petty and Kasey Kahne could switch to Toyotas as soon as July? Lee White, head of Toyota’ racing development operations, says “I’ve never talked to the King or his driver. I’m pretty sure that no one at Toyota/TRD has talked to either of them.”(mikemulhern.net)(6-22-2009)
UPDATE 2: Sirius Speedway has learned that Richard Petty Motorsports will begin fielding Toyotas for driver #9-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. “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. A decision on future manufacturer affiliations for the #19 and #44 cars — driven by Elliott Sadler and AJ Allmendinger – is pending
What’s up with Roush’s five teams? Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith on the team cutting from five teams to four after this season (as mandated by NASCAR to meet its four-car limit): “We’re still messing with the sponsorship pieces,’’ Smith said. “We’re still not sure how it’s going to lay out. We thought we’d be done by now but we’re not.’’ One of the teams will move to Yates next year, Smith said. Smith also was asked about the status of signing Jamie McMurray to a contract extension: “Jamie wants to stay. We’d like him to stay. We’re hoping we can have sponsorship around Jamie before he has to decide how much longer he can wait. We’ve been working together. Hopefully we’ll have that worked out pretty quickly before he has to turn his attention to the marketplace.
RCR to scale back to two teams? There is speculation that Chevy team owner Richard Childress may have to cut back to a two-car operation next season, if the Shell [#29-Harvick]and Jack Daniels [#07-Casey Mears] sponsorships are not renewed. Childress says he intends to have four Cup teams again next year, but conceded sponsorship issues remain to be resolved. Childress, through the Winston-Salem law firm Womble, Carlyle, has filed legal papers over what he says is GM’s non-payment of a bill of $2,538,750. Childress insists he’s not suing GM over its failure to make that payment due June 15th. That bill would apparently be a scheduled quarterly payment, part of a $10 million a year Chevrolet sponsorship for Childress’ four-team operation.
Keselowski to talk to Hendrick about Cup move: Rick Hendrick said he plans to meet with Nationwide Series driver Brad Keselowski this week to discuss his plans for moving up to Sprint Cup in 2010. Hendrick mentioned two possible options for Keselowski — a third car at Stewart-Haas Racing, which is affiliated with Hendrick Motorsports, or a chance to stay at JR Motorsports if Dale Earnhardt Jr. decides to move his Nationwide team to Cup next year. “We’re looking at different options with some of our external situations with other teams,” Hendrick said Sunday at Infineon Raceway. “I told Brad that I want him to have the best opportunity. If we can’t give it to him, then I want him to have the best.” Keselowski told reporters at that event that he would love to drive a third Stewart-Haas car next year. Tony Stewart said Friday a third car for his team is a possibility for 2010. Stewart’s team is a satellite operation with Hendrick Motorsports, leasing engines from Hendrick. Hendrick also said Earnhardt Jr. is considering moving his Nationwide operation to Cup in 2010. Either way, Keselowski would stay in the Hendrick family, so to speak, if he signed with Stewart-Haas Racing or stayed at JR Motorsports. “Brad wants to do something that is somehow associated with our company,” Hendrick said. “We’re working on it and hopefully in the next few weeks we’ll have something sorted out. He’ll be running Cup [in 2010]. Whether he’ll be running them all or whether he’ll be running 75% of them or what, I don’t know.
Danica to Roush?
Jun 20
Danica to Roush? Danica Patrick will be in a Jack Roush NASCAR Ford next season, bank on it. Well, don’t bet the ranch, but there is a growing sense that that is the momentum on the issue, if the sexy Indy-car star does make the leap into stock car racing, as she has hinted. And in the NASCAR garage here at Infineon Raceway Roush himself pondered the Danica option Friday. Patrick herself has been talking around the NASCAR possibility for several weeks now but insists she won’t be making any announcement of where she’ll be racing next season until this fall [after the IRL's finale in Oct]. Last weekend Geoff Smith, head of Roush Fenway Racing, talked about the Danica Patrick option. What does Roush himself think about her as NASCAR stocker? “I don’t know enough about her to know how much time she’d have to spend in the Nationwide series or Truck series,” Roush said. “I’d say, as a minimum, two years in the Nationwide series would be required…and at the same time she could run six or seven Cup races, to maintain her rookie status. It just depends on how badly she wants it,” Roush says of any Patrick move into NASCAR. Patrick has some big advantages, Roush points out: “I don’t know of any problems with Danica Patrick. If a female is going to make it in NASCAR in the foreseeable future, it will be Danica Patrick