Saturday, January 31, 2009

Changes for '09 - Drug Testing

Just released:

All NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series drivers have passed the preseason substance abuse test.

NASCAR sent out memos in December regarding the preseason substance abuse test for all crew members, spotters and race-day support personnel, including engineers, engine tuners, shock specialists, chassis specialists and tire specialists.

Policy states NASCAR can test at any time with reasonable suspicion, but this preseason substance abuse test is new this year as well as random testing at the track almost every race weekend. The tests will reportedly focus on the use of narcotics, beta blockers and steroids. Any driver that fails a test will be made public, but not those by crew members. Three failed tests will result in a lifetime ban from NASCAR.

"I might be opening up a can of worms when I say this, but why would you announce you're going to have a drug-testing time?" "I mean the whole idea of announcing it kind of takes away from the people that know how to cheat the system. Obviously, I know there's probably going to be some follow-ups with certain people ... but it just seems to me that you're only eliminating the really, really naïve people in the first testing or in the first screening like this." - Ryan Newman at the Lowe's Motor Speedway Media Tour

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