On the Right Track
by Jeff Gluck
Harvick's drug policy a smart move
April 28, 2008
More blog postings from Jeff Gluck
There are a lot of hypocrites in the world, but no one can accuse Kevin Harvick of being one.
Harvick was the most outspoken driver a few weeks ago at Phoenix, when discussion over NASCAR's drug policy reached a fever pitch. NASCAR only tests when it has reasonable suspicion to do so, and Harvick strongly disagrees with that policy, instead believing that every driver should undergo random drug testing like in other major-league sports.
At the time, Harvick was asked whether his own Kevin Harvick Inc. race team tested its drivers and employees. The answer was no.
So immediately after returning home from Phoenix, Harvick took steps to correct that problem. All of his team's drivers and crew chiefs were tested, and Harvick employed an independent company to begin testing his entire organization.
Harvick said at Talladega that the testing could be completed within a week.
It's not often we see a driver voice his opinion about an issue and then take action.
Sure, everyone complains. But Harvick actually did something about it and took a strong leadership position, providing an outstanding example for other teams – and NASCAR – to follow.
This is an era when many drivers, including Harvick himself, are more reluctant to express their opinions because of the backlash that sometimes comes from speaking out.
But Harvick continues to make his voice heard on the drug issue. In addition to implenting a policy for his own company, he made several insightful suggestions at Talladega for how NASCAR could easily start its own testing.
When someone applied for a season garage pass (known as a "hard card" in the NASCAR world), that person would also have to submit paperwork indicating that they successfully completed a drug test, Harvick suggested.
Or a mandatory test could occur whenever a driver was involved in a wreck and had to go to the infield care center, Harvick said.
If NASCAR won't randomly test every driver, all of the teams in the garage should follow KHI's example.
Kudos to Harvick for leading the way.
Harvick was the most outspoken driver a few weeks ago at Phoenix, when discussion over NASCAR's drug policy reached a fever pitch. NASCAR only tests when it has reasonable suspicion to do so, and Harvick strongly disagrees with that policy, instead believing that every driver should undergo random drug testing like in other major-league sports.
At the time, Harvick was asked whether his own Kevin Harvick Inc. race team tested its drivers and employees. The answer was no.
So immediately after returning home from Phoenix, Harvick took steps to correct that problem. All of his team's drivers and crew chiefs were tested, and Harvick employed an independent company to begin testing his entire organization.
Harvick said at Talladega that the testing could be completed within a week.
It's not often we see a driver voice his opinion about an issue and then take action.
Sure, everyone complains. But Harvick actually did something about it and took a strong leadership position, providing an outstanding example for other teams – and NASCAR – to follow.
This is an era when many drivers, including Harvick himself, are more reluctant to express their opinions because of the backlash that sometimes comes from speaking out.
But Harvick continues to make his voice heard on the drug issue. In addition to implenting a policy for his own company, he made several insightful suggestions at Talladega for how NASCAR could easily start its own testing.
When someone applied for a season garage pass (known as a "hard card" in the NASCAR world), that person would also have to submit paperwork indicating that they successfully completed a drug test, Harvick suggested.
Or a mandatory test could occur whenever a driver was involved in a wreck and had to go to the infield care center, Harvick said.
If NASCAR won't randomly test every driver, all of the teams in the garage should follow KHI's example.
Kudos to Harvick for leading the way.
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