Suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield smiled and chatted with friends as a crowd of hundreds placed their bids on his property and possessions.
They gathered in a barn on his Catawba estate, where two simultaneous auctions were held. On one side of the barn, people bid on 475 acres of rolling pasturelands, his grand yet unfinished three-level home, his collection of vehicles and 40 rifles and shotguns.
On the other side, people bid on items like eight new Craftsman power sprayers still in their boxes, six new submersible pumps and 69 pairs of sunglasses, among other things.
Going to auctions and buying things is a passion for Mayfield. When he amasses a quantity of items or buys and restores cars, he sells them at a profit, he said.
"NASCAR took away the only way I knew to make a living," he said. "This is the way I make a living now."
NASCAR suspended Mayfield after he tested positive for methamphetamine. Mayfield denies ever using the illegal drug and has repeatedly blamed the positive drug test results on his use of Adderall — a prescription medication used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Mayfield's wife, Shana, said the couple is selling their belongings in an attempt to downsize.
"We've accumulated tons of stuff over the years and we decided this is a good time to get rid of it," she said. "It's exciting — it's a new chapter in our lives."
Mayfield said after he sells his belongings, he will continue to live in the area and he will still buy and sell goods at auction.
"I'll buy all the land I can and then sell it off," he said. "I'll keep doing what I'm doing now. This is the only way to make a living that I know."
Mayfield greeted his fans and signed autographs for them as they milled around on his property.
He said he appreciates their support and predicted that he will be exonerated when his lawsuit against NASCAR goes to court.
"I'll be back in racing soon. It'll be something like NHRA," he said. "It'll give my fans someone to pull for."
Mayfield said he hopes to take in $8 million from the auction. His wife said the total won't be known until next week.
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