DARLINGTON, S.C., May 10 (UPI) -- NASCAR has suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield indefinitely for an undisclosed substance abuse violation, a racing official announced.
The 39-year-old Mayfield, who drives for his own team, failed a random drug test following the Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond, Va., last Sunday and is the first driver suspended or violating the governing body's new random drug-testing policy.
NASCAR Vice President Jim Hunter said the body tests between four and eight drivers each week, usually on the first day of the race weekend, with participants pulled from a random computer-generated database of license numbers.
Drivers can request a second sample and both tests on Mayfield ended with positive results, he said.
"(Mayfield) is suspended as an owner and a driver," Hunter said in a statement before Saturday's Southern 500 at Darlington. "His team could be operated by somebody else, but Jeremy will not be allowed to participate. It's all about safety and competition and a positive result means an indefinite suspension."
Mayfield finished 35th at Richmond and failed to qualify at Darlington.
