Let's face it. Recent developments in the world of NASCAR's highest-profile drug policy offender have made it clear that the media is once again about to get a big taste of Jeremy Mayfield.
Never wavering from his story of mistaken lab results, Mayfield has made a move right out of a Hollywood script. Click here to read Jenna Fryer's story for the Associated Press. Mayfield has a brand new mouthpiece.
This time, instead of the wild-haired local Charlotte, NC attorney Bill Diehl, Mayfield has his eye on a very big prize. Pulled right out of the celebrity arena is Mark Geragos, who is pictured above.
While the Geragos focus will be squarely on NASCAR's drug testing policies, his reputation as a celebrity lawyer will certainly be put to the test. The Mayfield disaster has played out over the last months in front of an increasingly agitated NASCAR fan base.
It has been a saga where every move has a counter-move and there now seems to be no winners. NASCAR has been offering official statements about Mayfield from a cast of characters right out of a bad Burt Reynolds movie.
Through it all, Mayfield has been doing the one thing that media veterans know is going to come around again like bad meatloaf. Mayfield has talked about it publicly and is making a point to remind fans. There is always a video camera rolling when Mayfield is in action. He is recording everything.
Talking to ESPN's Marty Smith on top of a hospitality trailer in the infield...recorded.
Talking to local Charlotte TV stations from the driver's seat of his SUV...recorded.
Answering the door when the NASCAR drug police came to his house demanding a urine sample...recorded.
Mayfield has now sold his race team and says he is having a hard time making ends meet because NASCAR has denied him a right to make a living racing. Mayfield has thrown NASCAR, the Aegis testing lab, and the entire multi-million dollar NASCAR drug testing program under the bus time and time again.
You have to feel that the end result of all of this just has to be one thing. Mayfield's own reality TV series. From Housewives to fisherman to the Octomom, reality TV dominates our media world right now. SPEED promotes towing trucks in Chicago and the History Channel promotes people driving trucks in very cold places.
While we wait for the next chapter in the Mayfield saga to play-out, the other big problem he has is that so many titles have already been used for reality shows that feature drugs, alcohol, family issues and money problems.
Simpsons, Osbournes, Hogans and other families have come before the Mayfields exposing the dark side of reality TV. NASCAR is very clear on the fact that twice now Mayfield has tested positive for methamphetamine. Mayfield is very clear on the fact he has never used the drug and it is all one big mistake. We have conflict.
Throw in the drunken stepmom who might or might not have killed Mayfield's father. Add Mayfield's wife who has already starred in an earlier NASCAR reality TV show. Finally, include the celebrity lawyer who has represented clients like the late Michael Jackson, Chris Brown and Winona Ryder.
There is little doubt that Mayfield will be shopping for a reality TV deal to put money in his pocket. In TV land, even projects in the development stage have a name.
Since we have so many smart and imaginative NASCAR fans out there, let's ask for your opinion. What should Mayfield's possible new reality TV series be called?
While it may seem easy at first, it is not. The title has to be short and sweet but to the point. It has to reference Mayfield, but not necessarily NASCAR. Creativity is great, but non-racing fans have to understand it as well.
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