Drug Policy Snares First Offender

That didn't take long.

NASCAR's newly-revised drug abuse policy -- instituted with a heavier hand and heavier rules for 2009 -- picked up its first positive test following the sport's season opening events last weekend in Daytona Beach, Fla.

That test belonged to Paul Chodora, an over-the-wall crew member for Jeremy Mayfield's No. 41 upstart race team.
Mayfield's team, of course, was one of the four to earn a spot in the Daytona 500 after racing his way into the field during the Gatorade Duels qualifying races. The No. 41 wound up 40th in Sunday's race.

According to the release from NASCAR, "On Feb. 11, Chodora was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 7-5 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rule book."

I would assume that the "On Feb. 11" means that he submitted a test that day to NASCAR to allow him to participate in the weekend activities, and NASCAR got the the results back after the event had occured. Such a delay, however, exposes a loophole of sorts in the process of screening for the illegal substances that might not be fixable.

In other words, any team member that must submit a test could knowingly or unknowingly submit a false one but would know that the results wouldn't be available until the next week -- guaranteeing them the chance to compete in that weekend's activities.

Obviously, Chodora's test wasn't a huge issue for the sport because of the hundreds of people NASCAR had submit tests that came back clean, and for that, the tiny and temporary loophole isn't exactly something to be up in arms about.

Worrisome? Probably. Rampant? Doubtful.

Chodora has been suspended indefinitely for his actions.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-20-2009 @ 7:15PM

j. w. lane said...

why dose nascar waste a spote in the line up the likes of kenny wallace and michael waltrip?

2-20-2009 @ 7:49PM

illsell4u said...

Thanks for that Geoffrey. I would be interested if there is any information on exactly how many were tested. I think it is a testament to Nascar that only one person out of possibly 100-150 people tested was found to be an illegal substance user. I am quite certain if you were to randomly test not only the pro football, basketball, and baseball players but their teams support members as well, you would certainly find more than a 1% sampling guilty of hitting the bong now and then.
MBL

2-21-2009 @ 1:21AM

sgtsquint said...

LET'S SEE I MISSED THE PIT BOX TWICE DURING PRACTICE
AT 45 MPH - THEN IN THE RACE I MISSED IT AGAIN AT 45 MPH AND PARKED MY RIGHT FROM WHEEL ON THE LINE AT 45 MPH LATER - NOW WHAT MAKES ME BELIEVE THAT I KNEW WHERE I WAS AT 180 MPH THAT CAUSED A NINE CAR WRECK................BLACK FLAG/NO WAY..........I'M
JUNIOR EARNHARDT

2-22-2009 @ 3:33AM

jhood78 said...

sgtsquint, BubbaJr. might not have hit the ol bong the night before, but I bet he put down quite a few "Budweisers" to relax before the race. Probably had a hangover to miss his pit so many times. Notice on his interviews how he always looks like he's belching in between picking his nose and trying hard to think of "big words" to say. Then belches and swallows hard again. Makes me want to say THINK Jr., you can do it. You've talked in front of cameras before...buuuuurrrrrrpppp! "Anyone have a kleenex I can wipe this booger on? Nevermind I'll use my sleeve.

2-21-2009 @ 4:40AM

Don Emerson said...

Hmmmm...kinda wondering after the way Jr performed at Daytona if he was one of those tested. Realistically it doesn't matter if he was or not. Nascar would never admit to the public if Jr failed the test anyway. Works for me.....

2-21-2009 @ 6:34PM

rspears24 said...

GET OFF JRS BACK HES THE CLEANIEST DRIVER OUT THERE, AND TELLS YOU JUST WHAT HE THINKS, ON THE OTHER SIDE VICKERS WHO I ALWAYS LIKED UNTIL HIS REACTION, TOOK JR AND HIS TEAM MATE OUT AT DEGA,AND HES CRYING FOWL HECK JR CALLED HIM LET IT GO, DON`T BLOCK IF YOU DON`T WANT TO RUB A LITTLE.....

2-24-2009 @ 5:23PM

Brant Paulson said...

Why does nascar continue to kiss Dale Jr`s butt. He intentionally took out Brain Vickers at Daytona. "Dale, do us all a favor and get out of that race car and answer your true calling. Drive up window attendant at Mc Donalds.

2-28-2009 @ 10:21AM

hicadence said...

Nice Junior slams!

He is an absolute overrated pile of poop.

2-28-2009 @ 10:14PM

kindatuchy said...

I'm sure glad there isn't mandatory testing for posting,,,but no worry comments 3 thru 8 would have passed with flying colors cause the test doesn't cover bull*&%#.