DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR Chairman Brian France addressed the media Friday afternoon in the infield of Daytona International Speedway and insisted that despite the downturn in the economy, sagging television ratings and lagging attendance, he considers the sport to be relatively healthy - competitive racing and compelling championships trumping the downsides."Everyone would like to point to me that the world is crumbling,'' France said. "I'm not telling you it's not difficult, it is. But we try to keep things in perspective. Lots of people would like to have our problems.''
And then France tackled the hot topic of the weekend here in Daytona -- a federal judge's decision Wedneday to lift NASCAR's suspension of driver Jeremy Mayfield, who failed a drug test in May.
"We don't just go laying the hammer down and ruining someone's career,'' France said emphatically. "We know what it means to anyone to get such a positive test back ... we are very comfortable that the test is accurate and reliable and will hold up, ultimately, when all of the facts are heard.''
Less than impressed.
AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- 
As NASCAR heads into a rare stand-alone Nationwide Series race weekend, the debate inevitably heats up as to whether it's fair for the Sprint Cup drivers to crash the Nationwide parties.
NASCAR Chairman Brian France really loves the Chase for the Nextel Cup.
So that
Ricky Rudd will miss his third consecutive race this weekend at Dover International Speedway. Rudd suffered a serious shoulder separation during a 


























