OK, we'll do it quickly, promise. Mayfield is still indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for failing a drug test in 2009. Since then, he's been involved in a number of legal battles outside of his one with NASCAR including an incident involving his dogs and a postal worker and, most recently, is facing multiple felony charges including possession of methamphetamine and stolen goods.
Anyway, NASCAR CEO Brian France was a guest on Motor Racing Network's NASCAR Live on Tuesday night and Mayfield called in. And Mayfield was put through on-air to France.
We know what's going through your head right now; you likely have visions of an epic radio disaster. But believe it or not, it was civil -- no one was called a whore.
You can click here to listen to the clip. We've transcribed it below.
Mayfield, after host Eli Gold (also the radio voice of Alabama football) introduces him to the show: Hey thank you. I thought I was going to call in and see how you guys were doing and Brian, Eli, I haven't been around much and got to talk to you guys lately and just want to ask Brian if he's willing to accept the fact that I'd like to come back racing. And if we can sit down and talk about it and figure out what we need to do to make that work.
France: Well, Jeremy, you know the path back for you, it's the path back for anybody and, you know, I've always hoped that you would choose the right path and not litigation and bunch of other things, but that's up to you and we -- you know you have a welcome, you know, mat out any time you want and that's, you know there's a standard process that, you know, AJ Allmendinger just went through and welcomed him back and it's terrific. That's up to you.
Mayfield: OK, well I appreciate that. I didn't mean to bother you on the show but that was the only way I could get ahold of you and I figured it'd be a great opportunity to do that. And you guys have a good night and I appreciate it (inaudible)
According to MRN producer Tony Rizzuti, France agreed to take Mayfield's call on air. To Mayfield's credit, he kept the discussion respectful. And while you may come away from the call thinking that Mayfield is ready and willing to complete NASCAR's Road to Recovery program, he first has to worry about those felony charges in court on January 14 and February 18, plea deal or no plea deal.
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