Drivers Talk NASCAR Drug Testing

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Ironically, in the week one of America's great Olympic champions is embroiled in a drug controversy, another of its favorite pasttimes is conducting its first large scale drug testing.

NASCAR finished its first round of mandatory drug tests and will continue to conduct random tests throughout the season. It's a big step for the series, which has only tested with probable suspicion for the previous 59 years of its history.

But in this sport, being under the influence of a drug could mean death for you or another – there's no gray area at 200 mph.

In a magazine article last year, former series driver Aaron Fike claimed he competed in a 2007 Truck Series race under the influence of heroin. The news outraged drivers and drew widespread attention to what seemed an outdated and perhaps unrealistic policy.

Drivers themselves publicly called for tougher policing by NASCAR, which ultimately re-examined and modified its drug policy.

"I honestly doubt anyone is using drugs to improve their performance," said Sprint Cup Series rookie Scott Speed, sharing that he was never drug tested while competing in Formula One. "I don't even know what you would take to become a better race car driver.

"I think with the stuff that has happened, finding out that people were using recreational drugs before driving is a bit scary. This is a step in the right direction.''

NASCAR isn't just testing the drivers, but the entire teams, from the tire changers on pit road to the engineers who don't even come to race track.

As far as anyone knew this week, no one had been suspended because of a positive test.

"I passed – I think I got a 98," owner/driver Michael Waltrip said half-jokingly.

"I love the fact that NASCAR stepped up and said that's what we have to do. Everyone needs to be held accountable.

"Sometimes when race car drivers are independent contractors, that in itself says, 'I'm independent,' and the truth is whether it's me or some kid just starting up – a lot of people's livelihoods depend on what you do and how you act."

The amazing thing isn't that NASCAR hasn't found any violations, but that it's taken so long to realize this basic and small step was so necessary.

"We need to be proactive, we need to separate ourselves from other sports," said three-time reigning champ Jimmie Johnson.