Las Vegas Review-Journal - Heavy Pedal

Sorry I haven’t blogged for a few weeks. It partially was because I was working on another project and was sick a couple of days.

But I’ve never let obstacles like that stop me.

I just got tired of racing for a while. That’s a weak excuse because I have a great job and have become one of the few journalists in the country left who have the opportunity to report and comment on motor sports.

I’ve been frustrated with some racing organizations, and like many of you, I’ve been frustrated with the economy.

I owe you more than that and plan to get back to “pedaling” at a regular pace.

Mayfield speaks – briefly

Suspended NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield told The Associated Press on Saturday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway that he did not use illegal drugs, won't go to rehabilitation and will consider legal action to rescind his indefinite suspension.

He was suspended a week ago for failing random drug tests taken on May 1.

Mayfield, a veteran driver and rookie Cup team owner, said NASCAR hasn't told him what he tested positive for, leading to his suspension last weekend. He said he took a legal prescription drug to treat allergies, but wouldn't name the drug.

NASCAR has refused to reveal what banned drug Mayfield used, but chairman Brian France called it "a serious violation," categorizing that as use of a performance-enhancing or recreational drug. A person familiar with the test results told AP the positive result was not for a performance-enhancer, leaving a narcotic or controlled substance as the cause of the positive test.

Mayfield said he has hired legal representation and has undergone drug tests since. He declined to reveal those results.

"It's so frustrating because I'm labeled now," Mayfield said. "The damage is done.

"I'm not going to rehabilitation. Why would I?"

It’s good that NASCAR toughened its drug-testing program this year for drivers and crew members, but its control-freak mentality should not preclude at least announcing to drivers what drug a failed driver had in his system.

And if Mayfield is correct that he hasn’t been told what the banned substance is, I hope he does sue NASCAR. And win.

The “less fun” Bullring

Las Vegas Motor Speedway apparently is feeling the pinch of the weak economy despite depositing about $40 million from its NASCAR weekend in March.

I’m at the speedway’s Bullring on a beautiful Saturday evening now that the sun has gone down.

The Bullring never has been a significant moneymaker but the speedway has never invested greatly in advertising its races either.

It remains the best sports value for a family in Southern Nevada, but unless you’re a diehard racing fan you probably don’t know that.

This year’s spring and summer schedule has been cut back to every other week. That’s OK until demand indicates a return to weekly races.

But some aspects that made going to the Bullring fun haven’t been held yet this year. My personal favorite was the Kids Dance when young race fans were invited to dance to fun songs like “YMCA” or the “Chicken Dance” in front of the stands. It didn’t cost anything, but it’s gone.

One or two bounce houses are still set up for kids, but that doesn’t entertain those in the grandstands — or me.

I’ve threatened to boycott the Bullring until it at least brings back the Kids Dance.

Caring Jr. Dragster driver and Bullring generosity

Henderson’s John Randell is a winner regardless of where he finishes on the track.

The 12-year-old student at Mannion Middle School competes in the NHRA Jr. Dragster division at the speedway. His passion for racing gained added meaning when he was diagnosed a year ago with Type 1 diabetes. That put him in a more serious race to win.

He founded Diabetes Education Awareness to raise $1,500 so that he can send three children to a diabetes education camp (Camp Buck, at the Grizzly Creek Ranch near Reno) in August for one week.

John and his parents were at the Bullring Saturday with their dragster to raise money. One anonymous Bullring fan donated $600 to fund one kid’s trip.

John’s goals are to help find a cure for diabetes, go to college and compete as a professional drag racer.

“I want to educate everyone I meet about diabetes so that we can work together to find a cure," he said.

To contact John or obtain more information about his diabetes foundation, e-mail him at prandell@juno.com.

France doesn’t need banned substance to be optimistic

Crowds have been down this year for Sprint Cup races.

Their average television ratings are down by about 10 percent.

Chrysler and General Motors -- two of NASCAR’s biggest supporters -- are in big trouble; Ford and Toyota aren’t far behind.

But NASCAR Chairman Brian France still is smiling about the sport’s popularity.

Maybe he should be drug tested.

Of the 53 cars entered in Saturday's All-Star race, 29 were either GM Chevrolets or Chryslers.

"We don't like to be down in our (TV) ratings, but it's important to understand in totality. NASCAR online, our video downloads is all at a record,” France said. “We also didn't get off to the best start for us with a rain-shortened Daytona 500. We're in a momentum business."

Right now, there isn’t any momentum.

Unless you count going backward.