Mayfield has been suspended from NASCAR since May of 2009, when he failed a random drug test at Richmond International Raceway. In a statement follwing the test, Mayfield blamed it on ”the combination of a prescribed medicine and an over the counter medicine [that] reacted together and resulted in a positive drug test.”

Dr. David Black, whose Aegis lab conducted the test, disputed Mayfield’s claim, saying:     

What we have is a clear violation of policy. … In my many years of experience, I have never seen a violation like this due to the combination of over-the-counter or prescription products.

This touched off a storm of back and forth between Mayfield, Black, and NASCAR. Mayfield claimed that Black never informed him of the the drug for which he tested positive, but Black claimed that he had a discussion with Mayfield.

Mayfield then hired a lawyer and sued NASCAR. His case was moved to federal court. NASCAR countersued.   

Documents in the case revealed sources that confirmed that Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamines. An independent lab later confirmed it. In July of 2009, Mayfield won an injunction allowing him to return to the Sprint Cup garage, but he never did as he did not have funding. NASCAR later had the injunction overturned.

One year after the whole thing started, a judge dismissed Mayfield’s lawsuit. Judge Graham Mullen wrote:

Plaintiffs (Mayfield) agreed to release Defendants from all claims arising under a negligence theory or otherwise; Plaintiffs thereby waived their right to pursue their claims for defamation, unfair and deceptive trade practices, breach of contract, and negligence. Plaintiffs also failed to allege facts to support each of their claims. … Plaintiffs claims are hereby dismissed.

Mayfield asked the judge to reconsider, claiming that Mullen made a mistake by allowing NASCAR’s countersuit against Mayfield for breach of contract to proceed while dismissing his suit. The motion also argues that the judge did not give Mayfield the opportunity to amend his complaint to bring claims of wrongful interference with contractual or business relations. It also argues that the correct Florida law was not applied. In October of 2010, he also brought new charges to light, claiming that NASCAR illegally interfered with his business, and had personal malice against him.

In addition to having his suit reinstated, Mayfield also brought new claims to light, which he says shows NASCAR illegally interfered with his business, and had personal malice against him — specifically NASCAR Chairman Brian France. Mayfield requested to have those claims added to his suit.

Mayfield claims that in 2006, France had him black flagged during the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The allegations stem from affidavits in which former in-laws of France’s said that he called NASCAR President Mike Helton during the race and asked him to black flag Mayfield. The affidavits were part of a suit between France and his former in-laws, as he was attempting to evict them from a house he owned.

Mayfield alleges that once he pitted, his car was never looked over.

That race is important because Mayfield hit the wall and finished 41st, which Ray Evernham said Mayfield did in purpose. He was released a few days later, which led him to accuse Evernham of being more focused on other teams than others in his organization – a shot at his girlfriend Erin Crocker, who drove for him at the time.  

Additionally, Mayfield claims that NASCAR was upset with him for signing SmallSponsor.com. The sponsor chose to market itself through a deal with Mayfield Motorsports Inc’s No. 41 Toyota. But, Mayfield’s filing states that NASCAR was courting them to sponsor tracks and races.

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston denied Mayfield’s claims:

Mayfield’s claims are blatantly false and Jeremy and his lawyers know it. In fact, prior to their filing we notified Mayfield’s lawyers that the allegations were completely baseless and that we had evidence to prove the falsity of the claims. Mayfield and his lawyers chose to continue a campaign of lies and disregard the evidence that was discussed with them.

In 2009, Mayfield failed a drug test and was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for violating the substance abuse policy. In a statement, he claimed that the test was the result of a combination of a prescribed medicine and an over-the-counter medicine. That claim was later denied  by NASCAR’s drug tester. Later, Mayfield filed suit. His suit was later dismissed.

In his May ruling, Mullen wrote:

Plaintiffs (Mayfield) agreed to release Defendants from all claims arising under a negligence theory or otherwise; Plaintiffs thereby waived their right to pursue their claims for defamation, unfair and deceptive trade practices, breach of contract, and negligence. Plaintiffs also failed to allege facts to support each of their claims. … Plaintiffs claims are hereby dismissed.

But Mayfield is arguing, according to SceneDaily.com, is that Mullen made a mistake by allowing NASCAR’s countersuit against Mayfield for breach of contract to proceed while dismissing his suit. The motion also argues that the judge did not give Mayfield the opportunity to amend his complaint to bring claims of wrongful interference with contractual or business relations. It also argues that the correct Florida law was not applied.

Shortly before the case was dismissed, Mayfield’s attorney’s subpoenaed Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson to depose them in regard to sworn statements they made about his lawsuit. It is unclear at this point whether or not they will be deposed in the event that Mayfield’s case is reinstated.

In May 2009, Mayfield was suspended for violating NASCAR’s substance abuse policy. At the time, Mayfield claimed the failed drug test was the result of the combination of a prescribed medicine and an over the counter medicine that reacted together. He later said that the mix was of Adderall RX, which he said he was prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Claritin. David Black, whose Aegis Labs runs NASCAR’s random testing program, disputed that claim.

Mayfield later sued NASCAR challenging the suspension. He was hoping to get a temporary restraining order that would allow him to return to the track while the suit was ongoing. That request was denied.

In response, NASCAR filed a countersuit against Mayfield accusing him of willfully violating NASCAR’s substance abuse policy, breaching his contract, and defrauding competitors of earnings. The suit contends that Mayfield was under the influence during races, and in those races won more than $150,000 that would have gone to other competitors.

In July of last year, Mayfield was granted an injunction, allowing him to return to the Sprint Cup Series. But he never returned to the track. But less than a month later, NASCAR got Mayfield’s injunction overturned. NASCAR attempted to get Mayfield’s injunction thrown out permanently, but that request was denied in September.

Since then, things were relatively quiet until Mayfield subpoenaed Gordon and Johnson.  Shortly after that, his case was dismissed.

On Tuesday afternoon, Mullen dismissed the case without holding a hearing.

In his order, Judge Mullen wrote:

Plaintiffs (Mayfield) agreed to release Defendants from all claims arising under a negligence theory or otherwise; Plaintiffs thereby waived their right to pursue their claims for defamation, unfair and deceptive trade practices, breach of contract, and negligence. Plaintiffs also failed to allege facts to support each of their claims. … Plaintiffs claims are hereby dismissed.

 This news comes days after Mayfield’s attorney’s subpoenaed Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson to depose them in regard to sworn statements they made about his lawsuit.

Mayfield can appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals.

NASCAR issued a statement regarding the ruling:

The U.S. District Court’s ruling is a powerful acknowledgment and affirmation of NASCAR’s rulebook and its ability to police the sport. NASCAR has been very clear with its competitors as to its policies and what is expected of them. NASCAR’s comprehensive substance abuse policy, which is among the best and toughest in all of sports, serves the safety of our competitors and fans.

The Mayfields nor their attorney have issued a statement at this point.

Mayfield was suspended in May of last year for violating NASCAR’s substance abuse policy. At the time, Mayfield  claimed that it was due to the a mix of Adderall RX, which he said he was perscribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Claritin.

He later sued for breach of contract, discrimination and defamation in an attempt to get back on the track and for financial damages. He won an injunction to return to the track. But, despite that, he never returned.

NASCAR won an appeal of the injunction, giving them the right to suspend Jeremy Mayfield for his failed drug test until an appeal of the ruling was to be heard. A trial was scheduled for later this year.

Mayfield won an injunction earlier this month after a lower court judge ruled that the harm to Mayfield substantially outweighed the harm to NASCAR.

The court order said:

Upon review of appellants’ motion for a stay of the preliminary injunction pending appeal and appellees’ response, the Court grants the motion for stay pending appeal.

This could be devistating news for Mayfield, who recently said that he was lining up a huge sponsorship deal that would allow him to race for any team. I would think that no sponsor would want to get involved with a driver who couldn’t race until at least October.