Some really smart person once said, “The key to good writing is brevity.” This person never had to write about NASCAR and Jeremy Mayfield, our No. 2 story of 2009.

What happened?

Where in the blue hell do I begin? Mayfield started his own team and actually qualified for the Daytona 500. In early May, NASCAR officials claimed Mayfield tested positive for a banned substance and suspended him indefinitely.

At first, NASCAR wouldn’t say what the banned substance was. Eventually, the word methamphetamine and Mayfield were used in the same sentence. Mayfield repeatedly denied using the drug and believes NASCAR is using him as a scapegoat to scare other drivers into shape. He got a temporary injunction to continue racing that was eventually overturned. Like everything in this case, the conjunction itself has been mired in controversy.

The conspiracy theories also shifted to Mayfield’s stepmother. She claimed to see Mayfield repeatedly use meth. He responded with a wrongful death lawsuit in the 2007 death of his father, which was ruled suicide.

Editor’s note: Dan deserves a medal or a large coffee for keeping that to four paragraphs, especially when you see our story archive at the bottom. Russian novels could have been shorter than this story.

Where are we now?

Mayfield’s old lawyer is suing his former client over alleged unpaid fees. Mayfield’s new lawyer is going after Brian France, trying to get information from France and his ex-wife.

Mayfield is also running out of cash, having sold most of his possessions in his ongoing legal battle. I encourage you to read this story we ran about the auction at Mayfield's home; it’s the best read you’ll have today.

Why should you care?

One of two things happened. Both suck for the sport.

• If Mayfield was allowed to race while using, even for a short time, he endangered the lives of drivers, crew members and fans. More importantly, NASCAR’s drug testing policy is flawed, and that means there could be others using banned substances that we don’t know about. Remember, NASCAR alleges he used for years.
• Mayfield is telling the truth and the NASCAR Mafia clubbed his career to death.                                                                           

Regardless of what you think, the end of this story, unlike this column, remains unwritten.

Click these links to view stories that we have done on this subject. It will make for a great sad movie someday.

Related links:
Top story No. 3: Rick Hendrick is the Godfather
Top story No 4: The economy stinks
Top story No. 5: NASCAR ratings down
Top story No.6: Talladega turns into the Bermuda Triangle
Top story No. 7: Dale Earnhardt Jr. gets clobbered
Top story No. 8: Tony Stewart has a Whopper of a season
Top story No. 9: RCR gets loopy
Top story No. 10: The return of Mark Martin
Top story No. 11: Kyle Busch sucks, rocks
Top story No. 12: NASCAR Hall of Fame
Top story No. 13: David Poole's death
Top story No. 14: Double-file restarts
Top story No. 15: As the Danica turns