Filed under: Motorsports, Government/Legal
NASCAR to "crack" down on drugs with random testing in 2009
Moonshine may be the poison historically associated with NASCAR, but when Craftsman Truck Series racing driver Aaron Fike was arrested for heroin possession over a year ago, it opened a whole new can of worms for the racing league. After getting himself suspended from racing, Fike admitted he had been high on smack during several races and that he had been addicted to painkillers for six years. The incident was only one of seven such suspensions from NASCAR since 2000, but the ripples are still being felt as organizers have announced that random drug testing for drivers, crew and officials in all three NASCAR series will begin next season.
In addition to the spot checks, everyone will get a pre-season screening, and officials will reserve the right already in place to test on grounds of suspicion. Failing to pass a drug test could result in a lifetime ban from racing, while failing a third time means an automatic expulsion. Craftsman series champion Ron Hornaday recently confessed to using a doctor-prescribed topical steroid cream to treat a thyroid condition, which series organizers did not view as an infraction,
[Source: AutoWeek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Brent 6:29PM (9/21/2008)
LOL at the steriod comment.
Steriods should be legal in the first place, but yeah stimulants is a whole different issue.
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John 9:12AM (9/22/2008)
Steroids should be legal is the one of the stupidest ideas I've read here.
I know you are trying to make the varsity team this year, but steroids won't help you.
Brent 1:14PM (9/22/2008)
John,
You obviously don't know anything about steriods. Try doing your own research instead of believing Government propaganda. You probably think weed kills people too, huh?
John 2:41PM (9/22/2008)
No Brent, YOU don't know anything. I was a competitive weight lifter. I have seen the damage done to people first hand from steroids.
Brent 3:25PM (9/22/2008)
Please enlighten me! What kind of horrible damage have you seen from someone dosing correctly. Leave out the retards who didn't take a liver supplement or do a thorough post cycle therapy.
Reader 7:34PM (9/21/2008)
Painkillers and heroin are both depressants, surprised this guy could still function well enough to race (maybe NASCAR really is just driving in circles).
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tankd0g 9:02PM (9/21/2008)
Seems to me driving a stock car would be nothing but pain and bordum after the first few laps.
catgirlshyla 5:23AM (9/22/2008)
I think they should make drug use mandatory given they drive around in circles 95% of the time.
ddorsey 9:22PM (9/21/2008)
I love the picture of the Viagra car.
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Carlos 11:29PM (9/21/2008)
Would it be hard to drive doped up on Viagra? lol
Flashpoint 11:41PM (9/21/2008)
Viagra was designed to get the heart excited and moving more blood to the various body parts of your average overweight American so he could participate in coitous.
But here's my question, would they ban Viagra considering it probably promotes blood flow to the brain and probably helps the driver's concentration?
Topher 12:03AM (9/22/2008)
Viagra is actually rumored to be added to the World Anti Doping Agency banned list for 2009. Something about it increasing blood flow to areas of the body...
I'm thinking the test is gonna be pretty simple.
wengleung 12:49AM (9/22/2008)
I bet the guy in the picture could drive with both his hands in the air lol.
Golferal 4:31PM (9/22/2008)
The problem with the male anatomy is that we have two heads but only enough blood to operate one at a time....
Dan 11:41PM (9/21/2008)
Sure, fine, great. What's their stance on laser eyeball surgery for superhuman vision like all the golfers have?
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catgirlshyla 5:24AM (9/22/2008)
Not to mention the Lead Additives used in the fuels. How is the fumes affecting the drivers, pit crew, race staff, and the audience?
Joe 9:00AM (9/22/2008)
I'm not sure if this comment is made in jest, or not, but leaded fuels were removed from the series either late last year, or early this year. That's why early this season, a lot of motors were blowing in the Cup series.
500 11:18AM (9/22/2008)
They just removed leaded fuels late last year or early this year? Welcome to 1973, NASCAR.
JasonK 7:49AM (9/22/2008)
They might as well put it computers in the driver's seat at this point. Racing (for the most part) has just become increasingly stagnant with no real advancements in technology (blame FIA for that as well) and all the cars looking exactly the same. Why not take out another key aspect (the drivers) while they're at it.
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GDUB 10:58AM (9/22/2008)
This a terrible blow to the fans. will they be testing in the stands or before you buy tickets.
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