While Jeremy Mayfield is elated that a federal judge granted him an injunction on Wednesday that will allow him to return to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the owner/driver has a lot to think about. The ongoing court case saw a major victory for Mayfield, who failed a NASCAR-issued drug test at Richmond earlier this year. The temporary injunction lifts an indefinite suspension that has kept Mayfield away from the track since the announcement of his suspension in Darlington.

As the series prepares to head to the high-banks of Daytona for this weekend’s 400-miler, Mayfield is mulling the option of returning to the sport he loves for the first time in nearly three months. The owner/driver expressed jubilation on the court’s decision, but was unsure if he would be able to return to the track as early as this weekend.

"It's kind of late in the game right now, but we're able to go. That was our goal, to be able to go back to work and race cars," Mayfield said after leaving the courthouse in Charlotte, N.C. Wednesday. "The main thing is to clear the air and let the fans know. It just feels good to get this off our back, and now we'll move forward."

With the series headed to the high-speed, tight pack racing, always contentious Daytona International Speedway this weekend, perhaps it would be wise for Mayfield to take this time to work on reclaiming respect within the garage, the grandstands and the media.

If he decided to show up this weekend, Mayfield would have to qualify for the race on time – which for a team and a driver that has not been at the track for a number of weeks will be no easy task. Yet, even if Mayfield ends up driving for Larry Gunselman – which has been reported as an option – his fellow competitors on the track may steer clear of Mayfield for the time being.

When the series rolls into the Chicagoland Speedway this time next week, perhaps those in the garage and the media will be more comfortable and more receptive to the return of Mayfield. NASCAR has stated they will issue Mayfield a drug test every weekend he shows up at the track, but the Owensboro, Kentucky-native is willing to do what it takes to get back to the track.

Perhaps this weekend is too soon of a return for Mayfield. While it may be tempting to simply rub it in NASCAR’s face by showing up at the track this weekend in their hometown, maybe it would be a better decision to use this time to clear his name off the track before returning to action on Saturday.

NASCAR is a dangerous sport in which respect rules the roost, and with the tight pack racing and the almost inevitable ‘Big One’ that is prevalent at Daytona there are few other tracks that demand more respect amongst the drivers. Now is the time for Mayfield to concentrate on winning that aspect of the sport back before focusing on making a full return to driving.

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