NASCAR deadline for team drug testing nears

By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Saturday, January 10, 2009

NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck teams have one more week to file an initial list of crew members who have passed a drug test and are eligible for a NASCAR license.
 
NASCAR issued a memo to teams last month, setting a Jan. 16 deadline for crew members, which includes all over-the-wall pit crew members, the crew chief, car chief, pit crew support, including team members that are responsible for tires, fuel, and pit crew operation, as well as spotters and race day support, including engineers, engine tuners, shock specialists, chassis specialists and tire specialists, to have the test results.
 
All tests must be conducted by a laboratory certified by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Teams do not need to submit the names of crewmen who don’t pass.
 
NASCAR plans to oversee the testing of drivers itself, beginning the week of Jan. 20, NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Thursday. According to NASCAR policy, any driver who fails a test will be indefinitely suspended.
 
This is the first year of a revised testing policy where all drivers and crewmen must pass a test prior to the season. NASCAR also plans random tests every race weekend.
 
Although NASCAR does not have a list of banned substances, it did include a list of 38 drugs and testing thresholds for those drugs that must be tested for in the crewmen tests. Those drugs include amphetamines, ephedrine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine/crack, marijuana and narcotics (including codeine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone). Even zolpidem, the ingredient in sleeping aid Ambien, is on the list.
 
“[The list] is there as a benchmark because teams are going to outside approved laboratories,” Poston said. “We feel that is an extensive list with a very low threshold, but it’s not exclusive. The same policy applies to all crew members as the drivers – any drug that is misused or abused is a violation of our policy.
 
“It doesn’t matter what it is. We just felt like we had to have some parameters in terms of screening to give them something to work off of.”

Comments

14 responses to "NASCAR deadline for team drug testing nears". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    terry ruth said:
    Jan 10, 2009 at 12:44 PM

    No alcohol listed....moonshine is still ok??...HEY FELLERS THIS MAY BE THE FIRST STEP BACK TO THE PAST!!!!!....Weatherly Turner...Roberts...and Seay..are laughing there rumps off somewhere....I know Petty..Pearson...Jr.Johnson...daddy Jarrett are having a good chuckle.....I bet Tim Richmond is exploding somewhere..LOL

  2. 2
    terry ruth said:
    Jan 10, 2009 at 1:02 PM

    I WILL TRY THIS AGAIN... The list doesn't say anything alcohol...moonshine is OK? ...HEY FELLER'S..maybe this is the first step back to the past...some where Weatherly...Roberts...Turner...Flock boys and Seay are laughing their..backsides off....I know Petty.. Pearson..Jr. Johnson..Ned Jarrett are shaking their heads and having a good chuckle .....Tim Richmond must exploding somewhere...

  3. 3
    will staples said:
    Jan 10, 2009 at 3:22 PM

    Teams don't have to supply the names of crewman that don't pass.??They should and have their names put on a "red flag" list.Just for future reference.

  4. 4
    Werner Boehmert said:
    Jan 10, 2009 at 4:12 PM

    no pass...no NASCAR license...those who don't pass, i imagine it's up to the teams to decide on what to do...they could work in the shops, but they won't get past "the Garage Gate"...

  5. 5
    said:
    Jan 10, 2009 at 6:06 PM

    Alcohol has always been specifically listed on the Subtance Abuse Policy. In fact any blood alcohol level over .02 at the track is considered failing the "drug" test.

  6. 6
    Janice Marler said:
    Jan 10, 2009 at 6:09 PM

    Anyone who cannot pass a drug test given the amount of advance notice they were given has a real problem or is stupid. Most, if not all, drugs are out of the system after 30 days. While this sets a benchmark for the year, I think it's pretty worthless. JMO

  7. 7
    Werner Boehmert said:
    Jan 10, 2009 at 8:03 PM

    don't know about Jack and steroids, but it was told about Ron Hornaday using it for medical purposes and it was okayed...wasn't it something about steroids not improving performance?...someone help me out on the specifics...this is all i found..."On September 10, 2008, ESPN's Shaun Assael reports Hornaday Jr. admitted to using testosterone cream. He used it to treat Grave's disease"

  8. 8
    Werner Boehmert said:
    Jan 10, 2009 at 8:04 PM

    Terry...Jr Johnson says moonshines all right...:-)

  9. 9
    Bernadette Motherway said:
    Jan 10, 2009 at 10:15 PM

    Sorry, sometime I get Sprague and Hornaday mixed up for some reason. Don't see my post tho.

  10. 10
    Peggy Driscoll said:
    Jan 11, 2009 at 12:44 PM

    I thought drugs was out of your system in three days......anyone know for sure?

  11. 11
    alex obara said:
    Jan 11, 2009 at 12:52 PM

    They can detect drugs using ur body hair up to 1o years after u have used them

  12. 12
    Beverley Aiken said:
    Jan 12, 2009 at 2:28 PM

    What about prescription drugs that are legall prescribed by a licenced physician which may be required for an ongoing medical condition?

  13. 13
    Beverley Aiken said:
    Jan 12, 2009 at 2:29 PM

    What about prescription drugs that are legall prescribed by a licenced physician which may be required for an ongoing medical condition?

  14. 14
    Bernadette Motherway said:
    Jan 13, 2009 at 8:10 PM

    Beverley, it looks as if some prescription drugs are going to be part of the testing. Zolpidem (Ambien) is going to be part of the disqualification. If you are not familiar, that is a common sleep aid prescribed by doctors.

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