Drivers Welcome Stricter Drug Testing

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Some drivers said Thursday they've noticed a change in NASCAR's drug testing procedure: A more detailed, formal process since Sprint Cup owner-driver Jeremy Mayfield was suspended indefinitely for failing a random drug test on May 1.

"When I went at the start of the year, it was go in, take your sample, sign your name and basically walk out,'' Kasey Kahne said, "It was a five, 10 minute process. ... Now it's every step, you have to initial every step through the process. It seemed like it took 40 minutes in Sonoma (two weeks ago).''

Kurt Busch said he hasn't been tested since Mayfield's suspension took effect but welcomed the news.

"If they have made changes, I'm glad it's more formal,'' Busch said. "It seemed informal in the beginning."

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Thursday that there hasn't been a change in procedure but that the Aegis Science Corporation, the laboratory that conducts the tests for NASCAR, is simply getting more validation throughout the actually process.

The validity of NASCAR's new drug testing is exactly what Mayfield is contesting after NASCAR claimed both his A and B samples tested positive for methamphetamine. He filed a lawsuit against NASCAR disagreeing with the results and blamed the "false positive" on a mix of a prescription drug for ADHD and over-the-counter allergy medication.

A U.S. District Court judge ruled issued a temporary injunction Wednesday, lifting Mayfield's suspension until the court decides the matter. NASCAR could appeal the injunction but hasn't so far.

It was understandably a hot topic Thursday as teams arrived at Daytona International Speedway for Saturday's Coke Zero 400. Mayfield hasn't shown up at the track, but his presence is being felt as drivers and team members debate the judges ruling and ponder how to prevent this kind of thing from happening again.

"I agree with it (judge's ruling) only if Jeremy Mayfield or anyone that has tested positive for drugs can be tested soon enough, often enough, to ensure that he can never be on the race track at a time he would test positive for drugs,'' said driver Jeff Burton.

"I consider Jeremy a friend of mine, but 72 hours from him being on the race track, if that's how long it takes to get a result, then he should be tested again. And 24 hours after that, he should be tested again. I don't consider that harassment.

"I deserve to 100 percent know that he is 100 percent clean.

Burton added, "We have to make sure that you're assumed innocent and we have to make sure that we're doing everything in our power to return the proper result.

"It's okay to go that extra mile to do that. I think that was done, but it's in question somehow and NASCAR is going to have to look at what is being questioned and why is it being questioned and figure out the best way to close that up because we can't go through this every time there's a positive test.''

Denny Hamlin said he hasn't been tested since Mayfield's suspension but insisted he already had the utmost confidence in the procedure.

"They do a good job of verifying it's clean and everything - they do everything but stand there and hold it for you,'' Hamlin said, then adding with a laugh, " the cup, the cup.''