Court rules in NASCAR’s favor; Mayfield suspended

An appeals court has ruled in NASCAR's favor, granting its request to keep Jeremy Mayfield off the race track. The decision Friday by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals means Mayfield is once again suspended for failing a May 1 random drug test. A federal judge lifted the driver's suspension July 1, and NASCAR appealed to the appeals court in Richmond, Va. That court issued a stay until the appeal can be heard. U.S. District Court Graham Mullen, who allowed Mayfield to return to competition, still has a request before him to overturn his earlier decision based on NASCAR's claim that Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamine a second time. Mayfield is not entered in Sunday's race at Indy. Associated Press