Gordon not surprised a Cup driver fails drug test

Jeff Gordon says that in a way he wasn't surprised that a NASCAR driver failed a drug test as Jeremy Mayfield did.

"You knew it was going to happen,'' Gordon said. "There's just too many guys out there and somebody is going to make a mistake somewhere along the way. We've heard about other instances outside the Cup series. I think it's just very unfortunate for the sport, for Jeremy, for everybody. It definitely puts a black eye on it.''

Dr. David Black, who oversees NASCAR drug testing program, disputes Mayfield's claim that a reaction between an over-the-counter medicine and a prescription medicine caused Mayfield's positive drug test. Black tells USA Today: "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.''

NASCAR altered its substance abuse policy last fall in response to the story about former truck series driver Aaron Fike saying he competed while on heroin. Previously, NASCAR tested based on suspicion. Fike was not caught. When NASCAR changed its policy, it included random drug testing for drivers and crew members. Series officials also said they would not have a list of banned drugs but that they would penalize anyone who misused or abused ANY drug. At the time, drivers have several questions and concerns about medications they were either taking or might be taking and how the drug testing policy might change what they do.

Among the questions being asked back in September when the announcement was made: "How much cough medicine will make you positive?'' Ryan Newman asked.

Said Greg Biffle that weekend: "The moral of the story is they don't want guys doing methamphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, whatever the gamut of drugs there is today ... that's what the drug policy is for. They're (NASCAR) adament about saying if it's a medical situation, although not anything goes, the idea is if it's prescribed to you medically because of a condition ... that's what you need to take.''

Others had been calling for change, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., who said at the time: "I don't want to be involved in a race with anyone that's not playing by the rules and not making good judgment decisions.

But not everyone was pleased with the policy, which did not include a list of of drugs banned.

"What it sounds like, and I hope it's not this way, (but) it's something to make (the media) happy and maybe fans that are somewhat concerned,'' Charles Yesalis, a Penn State professor who has spent more than 25 years researching performance-enhancing drugs and testifed before Congress on the issue, told me back then.

"If I were a driver and got caught, I'd hire me a real big-time lawyer and say make mince-meat of it.''

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