Mark Martin was worried about taking an anti-inflammatory pill so the 50-year old veteran driver called up the head of NASCAR's new drug testing program to see if he could take an Advil without violating policy.Greg Biffle was concerned enough about taking a simple over-the-counter pain medicine to help with an injury, he just opted to tough it out.
We still don't know what Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield tested positive for two weeks ago, resulting in him becoming the first Cup driver indefinitely suspended under a new random drug testing policy. And it has prompted many drivers to publicly ask for a definitive list of can-dos and should-nots.
More Coverage: No Need to Reveal Mayfield's Test
The sport's most famous driver has a simpler way of looking at it.
"The policy is a rule and don't violate it and that's that. ..." Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. "Don't take drugs. ... Regardless if you drive race cars or not, it's a dumb idea.
"Don't be ignorant."
And really isn't that what this all comes down to.
NASCAR's new drug testing policy includes random in-season testing for the first time as opposed to only testing under reasonable suspicion as it has done the previous five decades. Names are generated by a computer and typically a half dozen drivers are tested during each race weekend.
Obviously the list of banned substances would include any illegal drug like marijuana or cocaine. And it would include any prescription medicine that impairs your judgment. If the prescription has one of those little red stickers suggesting you don't operate machinery while taking the medicine. ... that would include driving 180 mph in a stock car race, too.
It gets a little more complicated with nutritional supplements and allergy medications, but each driver has the cell phone number for Dr. David Black, who is overseeing the testing program and who claims to be available around the clock for questions.
Four-time champion Jeff Gordon, for example, takes Allegra daily for severe allergies and said Friday that the drug policy program was fully aware of that. Gordon, however, also said he hasn't been tested randomly yet.
"It would be nice to know if I took too much Robitussin, if that was going to be something that was going to test positive and if that is considered a false positive," driver Ryan Newman said.
Providing the competitors with a list of banned substances -- as NASCAR does for crew members -- seems like a practical first step and it shouldn't be taken as a direct threat to the benevolent NASCAR dictatorship.
It's just the fair thing to do. The drivers can hand the list to their doctors and know specifically what to avoid and NASCAR has given fair notice.
Common sense goes both ways.
Why not test the drivers' A and B sample at the same time. If there's no appeal anyway and suspension comes only after a B sample also fails, let's cut to the chase.
Almost a full week passed between Mayfield's A sample coming back positive and then -- upon Mayfield's request -- testing the B sample he gave at the same time.
If NASCAR thought there was something questionable in Mayfield's system, why would they even allow him to take practice laps at Darlington, much less try to qualify for the race?
Talk about reasonable suspicion. To me, that is the most egregious part of this whole situation.
Mayfield has driven for some of the most respected team owners in NASCAR -- men like Roger Penske and Ray Evernham who hold high character standards. Most of his fellow drivers have withheld judgment because they don't know the full story yet.
"Everybody wants to know what the hell Jeremy did," Earnhardt said. "That's his business and NASCAR's business, and they'll handle it."
NASCAR isn't talking specifics and unless Mayfield, 39, reveals what he took and takes his case to the court of public opinion, we'll never know if this was a policy that worked well or needed a tweak.
The bottom line is, if a driver has a question, he should err on the side of caution.
This is the last thing NASCAR wants dominating headlines during its All-Star race weekend so there's no motivation in acting without certainty.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-16-2009 @ 5:07PM
Marilyn said...
last week kevin grubbs died and it had something to do about drugs so as a fan of nascar i dont want some knucle head out there doped up and cause a bad wreck .do the testing
Reply
5-16-2009 @ 9:27PM
tremblay413 said...
why hasnt the so-called drug been identified yet and informed everyone? they told us there was a problem and then treat us like mushrooms. finish what was started.
Reply
5-17-2009 @ 9:31AM
gasper said...
The Failure of NASCAR Powers That Be to quickly proclaim exactly what banned substance Mayfield tested positive for completely contradicts Usual Standard Operating Nascar Law And Order Procedures, and it is the first real sign of Nascar Officials bowing down and cow-towing to its employees in a candy-ass fashion always showcased by the other pro sports leagues which sicken fans by allowing the league's player unions to RUN THE SHOW. If NASCAR Officials don't step up to the plate and identify what Mayfield was suspended for, they might as well hire Donald Fehr from the Baseball Player's Union to become the new NASCAR Driver's Union Representative.
Reply
5-17-2009 @ 3:45PM
Kim said...
This is absolutely ridculous that NASCAR will not provide the drivers with a list of "drugs" or medications that they are permitted to take. It's absolutely ridiculous that some of these guys are afraid to take cold medicine or Advil for fear they will be thrown out. Fine NASCAR, you don't want to publish or announce to the drivers what drugs are illegal, how about you at least give them a list of things they are ALLOWED to take.
I find it very hard to believe that Jeremy Mayfield took anything illegal. It was more than likely a pain killer of some kind. This is a family man and he has never given us reason to believe he was under the influence of anything, other than just being a boring driver.
Kim
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 10:09AM
corneliusocnnr said...
As a lawyer, from my point of view, the whole issue of a conclusive list of banned substances is a dangerous road to go down. Nascar run the risk of giving the minority out there who may be taking drugs a shopping list of things that they may take by the back door. This will start essentially an arms race between the regulators and those providing the drugs, one trying to find what may be used, the other trying to find a way around the banned list.We risk having the debacle that is currently enveloping the Tour De France where whole teams are now caught up in the maelstrom of accusation and counter-accusation regarding drug taking and results.
I feel Nascar is taking a cautious approach, which is high minded and fairminded, however unfortunately guaranteeing that they offend everyone. Nascar is the pinnacle of motorsport in America, the American dream where a kid from the farm can be champion, and peopled in main by enthusiasts, fans and crews alike. It would be a shame if it gets caught in the legal morasse that formula one (alleged cheating), athletics and cycling find themselves in at the moment.
From a closure point of view, I feel Nascar needs to establish a tribunal of enquiry to see where to go from here to bring the whole issue of positive dope tests, the fans need it, the crews need it, the results while painful need to be public, and once that is complete, it can move on. With regard to what some of the drivers are saying, ringing their own doctors to see if for example Advil will be considered a banned substance or performance enhancing substance, they are showing the way forward. I believe that Nascar will need the Surgeon Generals' input and direction in this matter, the drivers as their competitive drive has shown in racing have provided the way forward, they are consulting their doctors, let Nascar consult the Surgeon General.
Reply
5-19-2009 @ 11:53AM
Ron said...
A lawyer with good common sense. How about that. Something that eludes most posters on here.
Reply
5-26-2009 @ 4:12PM
mcmahan4581 said...
Key to this whole thing is illegal drugs. Most doctors understand and so do drivers. I am sure that the drivers and crews have gotten a drug policy from the "powers that be", if not they better have one written soon or there will be big problems. And a good lawyer will be need....see above, maybe he get some business. Lets hope all that are to be tested understand the risk and do not use. Keep the good shows coming and please someone help Jr get back into form. Or take out his crew boss....sorry Tony jr
Reply