In addition to having his suit reinstated, Mayfield also brought new claims to light, which he says shows NASCAR illegally interfered with his business, and had personal malice against him — specifically NASCAR Chairman Brian France. Mayfield requested to have those claims added to his suit.

Mayfield claims that in 2006, France had him black flagged during the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The allegations stem from affidavits in which former in-laws of France’s said that he called NASCAR President Mike Helton during the race and asked him to black flag Mayfield. The affidavits were part of a suit between France and his former in-laws, as he was attempting to evict them from a house he owned.

Mayfield alleges that once he pitted, his car was never looked over.

That race is important because Mayfield hit the wall and finished 41st, which Ray Evernham said Mayfield did in purpose. He was released a few days later, which led him to accuse Evernham of being more focused on other teams than others in his organization – a shot at his girlfriend Erin Crocker, who drove for him at the time.  

Additionally, Mayfield claims that NASCAR was upset with him for signing SmallSponsor.com. The sponsor chose to market itself through a deal with Mayfield Motorsports Inc’s No. 41 Toyota. But, Mayfield’s filing states that NASCAR was courting them to sponsor tracks and races.

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston denied Mayfield’s claims:

Mayfield’s claims are blatantly false and Jeremy and his lawyers know it. In fact, prior to their filing we notified Mayfield’s lawyers that the allegations were completely baseless and that we had evidence to prove the falsity of the claims. Mayfield and his lawyers chose to continue a campaign of lies and disregard the evidence that was discussed with them.

In 2009, Mayfield failed a drug test and was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for violating the substance abuse policy. In a statement, he claimed that the test was the result of a combination of a prescribed medicine and an over-the-counter medicine. That claim was later denied  by NASCAR’s drug tester. Later, Mayfield filed suit. His suit was later dismissed.

NYC has hosted the banquet since 1981, but due to the current economic conditions, New York’s high hotel prices, and less than favorable weather, NASCAR began looking for alternatives.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President Rossi Ralenkotter confirmed the tentative agreement.

But, NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said that the agreement has not been finalized.

Last year, the Victory Lap that the Sprint Cup cars and drivers make around Manhattan was canceled because of complaints of the traffic congestion.

Limbaugh was quoted as saying:

We have a polarization in this country not just of conservative, liberal, Democrat, Republican. We also have a polarization in this country of elites versus average people. … The elites think they’re the smart people and they think Sarah Palin’s a hayseed hick. She may as well be on the NASCAR circuit.

In response to the comments, NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said:

Obviously, Mr. Limbaugh hasn’t spent much time with our drivers or fans. NASCAR drivers and fans represent the best of America whether they are from small towns or big cities.

After making the comments, Limbaugh sought to clarify what he meant, saying:

I don’t look at anybody as a NASCAR hick. I was simply trying to portray this is the way the Democrats and the media look at Sarah Palin and the way they look at NASCAR. Democrats look at NASCAR the way they look at pro-lifers: with contempt and condescension. And that’s all I was trying to relay. I have got nothing against NASCAR whatsoever, the people that are involved in it or anybody in this country for that matter in that regard.

Now, if you take out the fact that this is Rush Limbaugh we’re talking about, and just read what he actually said, he’s right. He was expressing his perception of what Democrats or elites, as it were, think of Gov. Palin.

I have no problem with that.

What I do have a problem with is his generlization that brings politics into NASCAR. I don’t think Democrats look down on NASCAR. And, I don’t think Republicans all love NASCAR. To make such a generalization is almost as ridiculous as saying all black people hate NASCAR and all white people love it.

Just plain stupid.

At the end of the day, each person has their own reason for being a fan. And I highly doubt that anyone lists political affiliation as one of them.