NHRA Hands Out 1st Suspension for Drug Test Violation

The National Hot Rod Association has suspended Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Matt Guidera, 39, for one year after ruling he violated drug testing procedure this weekend at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park outside Indianapolis.

The 39-year old didn't test positive for a banned substance, but rather did not follow rules to take the test. He is the first competitor in one of the four professional classes -- Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle -- to be suspended under the 10-year old policy.

Under the NHRA's random drug testing format, once a racer is notified of the test, he/she has 24 hours to show up at a designated independent testing facility set-up on the grounds of that week's racing venue. According to a NHRA news release on Saturday, Guidera "failed to comply with the NHRA's drug testing policy within the required 24-hour time period."

Guidera, a four-time winner in five full time seasons, has been disqualified from this weekend's Mac Tools U.S. Nationals -- drag racing's version of the Indy 500 -- but will retain his current championship points and has 30 days to appeal the suspension. He was ranked seventh in the standings entering the weekend and had qualified for the Countdown to the Championship playoff format.

Guidera told ESPN during Sunday's pre-race broadcast that he was going to appeal the suspension.

"It was just a lot of things going on this weekend...,'' Guidera told ESPN's John Kernan.

"I decided to wait until the last minute, 'til the 23rd hour. I wasn't prepared to produce a sample -- an adequate sample,'' Guidera continued. " I was more than willing to but it just wasn't happening.

"I've done these tests before and passed every time. This is the, I think, the sixth or seventh test I've done in the last couple of years. They kind of timed me out. I was standing there going 'Hey, I'm ready. Just give me a few minutes and I'll do it,' but they weren't able to give me anymore time.

"I wish they would have given me more time, but looking back I understand their position. I won't wait until the last minute again. It just really sucks for our team because I want to go make some money and race.

"I just don't like it at all."