Aaron Fike's Heroin Admission Should Force NASCAR to Change Drug Policies

In case you missed it, suspended Craftsman Truck Series driver Aaron Fike dropped a compelling interview on the pages of ESPN the Magazine this week talking about his heroin bust dating back to last summer.

For a quick refresher, Fike, who had just finished 5th at Nashville in a race, was caught outside Kings Island amusement park near Cincinnati, Oh. last summer with his bride-to-be with heroin and drug-related items. He was later suspended indefinitely from NASCAR competition.

In his interview, Fike talked at some length about his growing habit, then dropped this bombshell on the racing world:

"It was pretty obvious what we were doing," Fike admitted. "So when they tapped on the window I tried to get the hell out of there. Now I know that being arrested saved both of our lives."

Only seven days earlier Fike had posted a career-best fifth-place finish in the O'Reilly 200 at the .75-mile Memphis Motorsports Park. The run boosted the rookie of the year favorite to eighth in the NCTS championship standings. He said he used heroin earlier that day.

Yes, that's right. Fike had heroin in his system while racing in a NASCAR-sanctioned event.

Say all you want about the driver, but he's the one changing his life and helping others after making a mistake that ultimately has ruined his racing career for the time being.

But what has NASCAR done? Changed their policies? Learned a lesson?

Not even close.
NASCAR's current drug policy in itself is worthy of a congressional hearing like the rest of the sports world in the United States is getting. The current method of deterring drugs in the sport could be coined as the "Good 'Ol Boy" method.

The system is simple. If someone thinks you're under the influence or if NASCAR thinks you are, they'll test you. Otherwise, you've got nothing to worry about.

That covers all members of a race team from the driver to the guys on pit road.

Random testing simply doesn't cross the vocabulary of the sanctioning body.

You would think that of all the sports, racing would be one those that you would like to see a more stringent testing policy. As Michael McDowell showed, even driving without any influences can be plenty dangerous.

Fike was only caught because he was nabbed by police. There's no telling in how long he could have continued racing with his addiction only getting worse.

NASCAR really needs to step up to the plate here and make some swift changes. Define some banned substances (this wouldn't have to go as deep as the HGH and steriod thing) and get a program started with random testing.

Surely, if Ryan Newman can draw a penalty for his car being too high at Texas, drivers that actually are can be penalized as well.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

4-11-2008 @ 1:40AM

sblanx16 said...

No, why test? It's only painkillers and heroin, not alcohol, that you get a DUI for. Ricky Bobby was high most of the time and he won the majority of his races, until he caught fire and the French dude came in and stole his glory!!

4-11-2008 @ 2:19AM

Don Emerson said...

Hmmm...I'm thinking that Nascar better ease into this drug testing, I fear it may open a big can of worms. Maybe not so much with the hard core drugs, but possibly with the recreational ones. And if you're going to test the drivers and crews, what about the officials and track personnel. I would hope that the powers that be proceed carefully on this one, and not just get caught up in the anti-drug feeding frenzy fed by the media. The other drivers and crew chiefs can check out their fellow drivers at the pre-race meeting. If he's stoned enough to show it, then he has no business on the track,and they can park him. Otherwise, what he does in his offtime should be his own business. You can't drive a race car stoned or drunk, you only think you can. I think that by the time the drivers reach the Sprint Cup level, they have realized this fact a long time ago.
Perhaps Nascar could adopt a don't ask, don't tell policy like the armed forces do,....wait a minute, I think that's what they have in place now, nevermind. Works for me.....

4-11-2008 @ 2:25AM

anzajoe said...

NAZCAR changing their drugs no policy?
ARE YOU CARING??. It's gonna take another tragedy like EARNHARDT for nazcar to finally establish a policy.A big popular name too i guess. How many fans
know the name ERIN DIKE.??

4-11-2008 @ 3:31AM

Jason said...

Nascar has alot to work out to get caught up to where they need to be. Drug testing is something as important as the SAFER wall. Crews Drivers and ontrack officials should all be tested. Nascar I get the feeling really could care less about the drivers and are more concerned about the all mighty $.

They really need to wake up and learn that safty comes in many forms when you take to the track at 180mph and where inches could be the difference between life and death. Will it take another Earnhardt incident before NASCAR will take this seriously. Sadly, a resounding YES is the truth.

At the cost of the fans a Driver Strike would be a great way to get the point across to the NASCAR higher ups that they will not put up with an unnecessary risk to their well being.

I hope someone from Nascar takes the time to listen to the drivers and work collectivly towards a resolution that will protect both the drivers and the company. Cause with something to do with drug abuse you now leave a doubt of was the cause of death a racing deal or something that Nascar could have prevented with a simple drug test.

4-11-2008 @ 10:54AM

illsell4u said...

Don, when I was a young punk I had been pulled over for DUI, numerous times in fact. On the last occassion the state trooper decided that I was in fact a little too far into it to be driving. I was taken to the Wake County jail and was administered a breathalizer. In my "ten foot tall and bullet proof" state I asked the person administering the test to blow into it first to "show me it was calibrated to zero". Needless to say he was not impressed with me at all and I was invited to spend the evening for my attitude. I was below the legal limit of that time.
I am happy to say I have never returned to that hotel or any others like it since.
My point is, I fully agree with you that not only should the drivers be tested but the entire team and all officials at the track. I am sure there will be some arrogant officials but unless you test ALL you leave the door open for some to slide by. They could easily do a random pee test an hour before every race. In fact, the people doing the testing should be tested. It would give new meaning to the term "go or go home." Understand, I am not talking about testing hundreds of people each and every week. But testing ten would be a good start.
MBL

4-11-2008 @ 10:58AM

Brad said...

Don I agree with most of what you said but a drug is a drug PERIOD! ! ! What do you consider as a recreational drug?

4-11-2008 @ 2:53PM

MIKE, what's with the illsell4u sign all suddenly.?
Are you trying to be another ghost blogger?.

4-11-2008 @ 4:42PM

no, i am not ghost blogging. not this time any ways. we got a new computer at the office and this was my first day using it. i do not know how to explain it.
however, if i was ghost blogging i would think i need to leave my initials off it next time.
MBL

4-11-2008 @ 4:56PM

Kim said...

It never occurred to me that NASCAR even had a drug policy. Of course they should have random testing...but I would venture a guess that they would lose 2-3 drivers each week if they tested everyone. I don't even watch racing most of the time, but I imagine these many drivers are like other star athletes and celebrities...they have a sense of entitlement that lets them think they can do whatever they want, whenever they want.

4-11-2008 @ 8:00PM

Maybe I am naive, but is this really a big issue in NASCAR? What kind of drugs do we think the drivers are taking? If anything, they are taking something like Speed to keep them awake during these ridiculously long & boring races as of late.

Alright, all joking aside. This does appear to be a serious issue in this young man's case. If he worked for me, he would be gone, no questions asked. I have to agree with Don (wow, Don we really are on the same wave length). Is it really mine or anyone else's business to examine what these guys do during their spare & free time? As long as they aren't doing it while behind the wheel of a car, I guess I don't see the problem.

I used to be a bit of a rebel when younger (before married with children of course), and used to smoke my share of left-handed ciggies. I never did so while planning on getting behind the wheel of a car or any time afterwards. Was I really a danger to anyone as I was smoking, hanging out with friends in a safe enviornment, not on the roads? No. So what business would it be of anyone else's? Sometimes "Big Brother" gets too involved. I agree with Don that NASCAR needs to tread very carefully in this situation & think long & hard before initiating a wide spread testing policy.

Kim (not the same Kim above but by the way, hello to you, Kim).

4-17-2008 @ 9:38AM

chiefleroy71220 said...

I work in the marine industry and have had to submit to drug screens for the past 20 years.All the transport drivers have to submit to drug test to get a CDL.So I think that all te people in NASCAR should have to submit to drug testing or find some other occupation.I also think everyone in gov.should have to submit also.They get involved in everyones life so they should be held accountable also.
Richard

4-13-2008 @ 3:03AM

travis russell said...

Usually it takes one to know one,and if your not just totally out of it,most people are not even going to know your high.Thirty five years ago,I walked across
the stage to receive my diploma,no one had
a clue,that 30 minutes prior to that,I had
smoked a joint and taken LSD.So in my opinion,everyone with NASCAR partipating in the race,on or off the track should be subject to random drug test.This is about
human lives and not about some hot shot
millionaire race car driver losing his job
or getting his reputation scared.I love
NASCAR and it would be a sad thing if a few bad apples ruined it for all of us.We
must not let this happen.I have been clean
and sober since 1975.

Travis

4-14-2008 @ 3:17PM

Scott Christner said...

I have a child that was strung out on heroin,Done tyhe rehab route for 3 years, it's a long hard road. Get him clean,that's the only way .

4-13-2008 @ 11:58AM

Travis,

Congratulations on being clean & sober since 1975! That is an amazing accomplishment & something to be really proud of and commended for! My Mother had a severe drinking problem my entire life growing up. Eight years ago last month, I had had enough. I admitted her (against her will) to a hospital for detox. Come to find out, she had a mental illness & was numbing her pain. After three weeks in the hospital, many out-patient & daily in-patient treatment therapies as well as me going along with her to numerous AA meetings (and I don't drink ever) as well as proper medication, Mom has been clean & sober since that day I admitted her! Eight years ago, she became the Mother once again I remembered and adored so much in early childhood. She has also turned into one of the most amazing grandmothers a daughter could ever ask for for her children! There isn't a day that doesn't go by now that I don't talk to my Mom or she to me. I am so thankful I had the guts to take the necessary steps to get her well. She too thanks me. Every year on the anniversary of her sobriety, we celebrate! I hope you do the same.

I think it was very courageous of you to share your personal story with all of us! Hopefully you too will enjoy mine.

Take care,

Kim

4-13-2008 @ 12:07PM

In listening to the pre-race show yesterday, the "drug" issue came up and everyone on the pannel weighed in. I listened carefully because I was curious. I liked what Kyle Petty had to say and agreed with him completely. He said that unless a driver gives reason to suspect him of using illegal drugs or being under the influence, a widespread drug testing initiative was not necessary. I agree with him. He went on to say that his team randomly tests their crews & drivers as do many teams. I would say once again, I agree with him. If the teams are testing their crews & drivers anyway, then leave it up to the teams themselves. They appear to be doing a fine job as I have never seen a driver do anything that would make me suspect they were under the influence of any substances other than Gatoraid. I think NASCAR's current policy is sufficient & that this poor young man's unfortunate circumstances are in the minority, not the majority.

JMO of course.

Kim

4-13-2008 @ 7:43PM

Susan said...

Kim,

I think that Nascar needs to hire an outside firm that will check the drivers and crew members. I think companies that receive major sponsorship and have great drivers might not be tempted to tell Nascar. There are dishonest owners in Nascar with a lot to lose and I wouldn't trust their honesty.

Susan

4-14-2008 @ 8:26AM

First,I would like to thank Kim for the
most kind words. I to grew up in an alcoholic environment which caused the
divorce of my parents,my mother in and out
of asylums all of her life.They are both gone now.Addiction destroys people of all
walks of life,the exact reason for this
discussion.Now,with all that said,I'm going to say, when Kyle Petty speaks we
should all listen whether we all agree or not.He has'nt had the best of seasons,but
seems to always come up with a logical
answer,solution or whatever need be.We all
know how mentally strong Kyle can be.But,
it's going to take the voices of many.And,
If it takes the opinions or solutions of a
total stranger to NASCAR let's get it done.Our sport is changing more and more
every day.Let's hope we don't have to throw a red flag over it to fix it.I've lost4of my best High School buddies to drug related problems in only 6yrs.I'm not
good at speaking,but I think we have a say
in this that can make a difference,If only
just a little.

MIKE

4-14-2008 @ 8:25AM

Kim,
Just so you'll know who is who,this is Michael Travis.I go by Travis,which was my father's first name and my middle.Sometimes I accidently sign my first name by mistake.Not that it really matters,but I just did'nt want to leave you confused.
Travis

4-15-2008 @ 7:02PM

MIKE,

Glad to get the name thing straight, thank you. :-) Would you prefer Mike or Travis? Both are nice names. Actually Travis was on a very short list when we were naming our boys. We decided to go a bit more untraditional. Their names are Reid & Cole.

Sounds like you & I grew up in a very similar enviornment? My parents divorced when I was young as well, age 5 I think. Both were alcoholics. Dad died many years ago. Luckily Mom got help, even if it was forced. :-) I am a firm believer that what hurts us only makes us stronger. I don't blame my parents for their addictions & many mistakes. In fact, I am actually thankful. I try not to toot my own horn, but there is one thing I firmly believe. I am an amazing Mom to my three children! I believe that I am because I learned what not to do from my parents. I refuse to make the same mistakes & am proud of the Mother I became despite the odds against me.

Welcome aboard. It's nice having you. :-)

Kim

And to Scott,

I am so sorry to hear about your son! Not only is it difficult on him, but I am sure the stress is tremendous for you. Keep your chin up and just keep doing everything you can do to try to help him become clean & sober. I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason. He will get well, he just has to want to. When he sees how the world can be through clean colored glasses, hopefully he will turn his world around. Good luck to you and to your son!

Kim

4-16-2008 @ 1:20AM

Hi Kim, I prefer Travis,thank you.Just too many Mike's.You know,this is a good thing we've got going here,but I think we have strayed from the main story.I've got an idea.Would anyone or does anybody know how to pick this drug and alcohol thing up,on another site,or is anyone even interested?I think it would be great.Maybe
we could help get some people clean and sober or even save some lives,by letting them tell there story.Sometimes people open up a little easier this way.I'm new to all this computer stuff,but know quite a bit about the other.We'll need some help and I'm sure it's been done before.
So what!What do you think?Or do we just carry on as we are?
Travis