Long's record suspension cut to 8 races

NASCAR driver Carl Long's suspension has been reduced to eight races from a record 12, but his record $200,000 fine remains.

National Stock Car Racing commissioner Charles Strang heard Long's final appeal Monday in Chicago. He announced the reduced suspension Wednesday.

Long, a part-time driver in the Sprint Cup Series, was penalized for having an oversized engine at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May. Long and his wife, car owner DeeDee Long, were suspended 12 races and docked 200 points. Crew chief Charles Swing was fined $200,000.

Long appealed in hopes of leniency for his low-budget team. He got some relief, but the fine could keep him from racing again.

"I suppose it's good news," Long told The Associated Press on Thursday. "Eight is better than 12. But they ain't gonna budge on the fine, and they know I can't pay it. They intentionally put it out of my reach."

Long said there is no way Swing will be able to pay the fine, and under NASCAR rules, it would then revert to the car owner. And Long's team won't be allowed to compete until the fine is paid.

MAYFIELD SUSPENSION: An expert witness for suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield said he tried to fix mistakes in an affidavit about his educational background, but the errors were still submitted into court.

Harvey MacFenerstein on Thursday said he pointed out the errors to John Buric, an attorney for Mayfield, and was assured the corrections would be made before the affidavit was submitted May 29. The inaccuracies were challenged Tuesday in federal court by NASCAR, which accused MacFenerstein of lying about his credentials in six sworn statements.

MacFenerstein is president of Analytical Toxicology Corp., a drug-testing laboratory in San Antonio, Texas.

NASCAR has asked that MacFenerstein's testimony be dismissed. Mayfield is challenging his indefinite drug suspension, prompted by a positive drug test, and MacFenerstein's affidavit was the basis of the argument.

FORMULA ONE: Eight teams began preparations for a rival series after failing to resolve their dispute with motor sport's governing body over financial constraints. The Formula One Teams' Association refused to sign up unconditionally for the 2010 F1 season after the FIA unveiled plans to introduce a voluntary $60 million budget cap.