CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A judge issued a temporary injunction on Wednesday to lift Jeremy Mayfield's drug suspension, leaving the NASCAR driver free to race at Daytona this weekend.

U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen concluded the "likelihood of a false positive in this case is quite substantial." The decision came after NASCAR's lawyers portrayed Mayfield as a danger to the sport after he tested positive for methamphetamines on May 1. He was suspended indefinitely eight days later.

Mayfield's lawyers argued he never used recreational drugs and that NASCAR's testing system was flawed.

"This is huge for us. This means more to me probably than any race I've ever won or anything," a smiling Mayfield said outside the courtroom, with his wife, Shana, at his side. "To come out here and do what we did today. ... All the attorneys worked tirelessly and endlessly. It all paid off for us."

Still, Mayfield said he was unsure if he would be able to secure the money needed to bring his car to Daytona. The deadline to enter Saturday's race was June 23. Mayfield, however, still can join the race as a late entry until the garage opens at 8:30 a.m. Thursday though he would not earn any championship points.

Mayfield also suggested he might drive a car for another team and said a decision would be made soon.

"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. "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."

NASCAR chairman Brian France said the organization has no immediate plans to file an appeal, but he didn't rule it out.