Mayfield not on entry list for Chicago race

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield’s team isn’t on the entry list for Saturday’s race at Chicagoland Speedway.

Mayfield, whose drug suspension was overturned by a federal judge last week, still could attempt to qualify for the race.

Under NASCAR rules, teams have until one hour before the first practice to register. That gives Mayfield until Thursday afternoon, but he would have to pay a late entry fee of several thousand dollars. He also could make the race if hired to drive for another team.

NASCAR suspended Mayfield on May 9 after a failed random drug test and said he tested positive for methamphetamine. Mayfield, who has denied using methamphetamine, blamed the positive drug test on the combined use of Adderall for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Claritin-D for allergies.

He sued to get reinstated, and a federal judge issued a temporary injunction last week, clearing the way for his return.

Mayfield, however, didn’t bring his No. 41 Toyota to Daytona, citing a lack of prep time. He couldn’t find a spot as a relief driver and instead spent the weekend in North Carolina preparing to run in Chicago.

“Shana and I, as well as everyone at Mayfield Motorsports, will do everything in our power to race next weekend,” Mayfield said Saturday.

The suspension has left Mayfield’s fledgling program financially strapped. In court documents, he said he has laid off 10 employees, borrowed money from family and sold personal assets to cover his living expenses. Triad Racing Technologies also filed a lawsuit after his suspension, accusing Mayfield of owing more than $86,000.

Mayfield has missed eight straight races since the suspension, and Mayfield Motorsports — which hired J.J. Yeley to drive for the first two races after the suspension — has missed the last six events.