Mayfield crew member suspeded for drugs

A crew member for Jeremy Mayfield's team has been suspended indefinitely for violating NASCAR's new substance abuse policy.

Paul Chodora failed a mandatory test Feb. 11 at Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR said Thursday. He's the first person punished under a policy that went into effect this season.

"Mayfield Motorsports respects the decision by NASCAR to indefinitely suspend Paul Chodora," Mayfield said in a statement. "We as an organization appreciate NASCAR's drug testing policies and policing efforts as it makes the sport stronger overall. If Paul doesn't comply with NASCAR's reinstatement process, then he will no longer be an employee of Mayfield Motorsports."

NASCAR required all crew members to be tested before the start of the season, but because Mayfield's team was formed in January, Chodora was not tested until activities were under way for last weekend's season opener.

NASCAR did not reveal what Chodora did for Mayfield's team.

It's a shame that somebody flunked the drug test, but thank goodness this type of thing is very rare in the sport!