by Darrell Waltrip

Around the track

Follow the action:

• Michigan schedule
• Michigan practices

Watch:

• Video Central

Picture perfect:

• Action at Watkins Glen

Read all about it:

• Dale Jr: Changes needed in NASCAR
• Vickers edges Martin for Cup pole

Analysis:

• White: Chasers feel the heat
• Spencer: Drivers to watch at Michigan

I'm happy that NASCAR finally has a tough drug policy in place. It's been something that we have been asking for, and it's necessary to protect all of our competitors. But I'm also very happy for Mayfield. As you all know, he is from Owensboro, Ky., like my brother Michael and I. I've known Jeremy for years, and he has never seemed to be the type of guy to be involved with this stuff they are alleging he did.

Wednesday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen won't be the end of this issue, however, so we must all allow the court process to take place. All of us fans, commentators, drivers need to take a deep breath and allow this thing to sort out before we start blaming people or jumping to conclusions.

That said, I do think we can learn from this entire episode even though it has not ended. NASCAR must make sure that these tests they are giving to competitors (drivers, crew chiefs, crew members, officials, etc.) actually work. NASCAR claims they have two positive tests for Mayfield, but what if he is saying the truth and the combination of medication he was taking at the time — Adderall for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Claritin-D for allergies — turns out to be true? As the judge said in his statement, that's still a possibility. One person told me once that he failed a drug test because he ate a poppy seed bagel.

That can't happen.

Let's face it folks, the stakes are too high. You cannot imagine the type of money both NASCAR and Mayfield have spent on this case already — it shouldn't be this way. While we are at it, if there are questions about the drug testing, NASCAR needs to re-evaluate its zero-tolerance policy. A good person's name is at stake if the sport and the testing is wrong.

I know it'll be difficult, but I hope Mayfield will be able to compete at Daytona this weekend. Will it be awkward for some people, sure, but if anybody had any concrete evidence of what Mayfield is being alleged to have done or any other driver for that matter, they should share it with NASCAR immediately. Since there doesn't appear to be such evidence, I think Mayfield will be treated just like any other competitor this weekend or whenever he returns.

There is no place for drugs in NASCAR. Let's just make sure that we aren't blaming innocent people.