Waid's World
by Steve Waid
Drugs, in some form, aren't new to NASCAR
April 13, 2008
More blog postings from Steve Waid
When NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Aaron Fike admitted he competed in a race with heroin in his system, a firestorm of controversy arose.
Many drivers, and others, have forcefully declared that NASCAR’s existing drug testing policy is ineffective and should be changed.
They welcome random testing – done often and on everyone - and encourage NASCAR to implement it.
That’s exactly what NASCAR should do. Hopefully, it will happen quickly, if for no other reason than the sanctioning body can’t afford any potential disaster that may occur when one of its drivers is on the track with drugs flowing through his veins.
In its defense, when it comes to drugs, NASCAR is not alone. All other major leagues, and certainly the Olympic Games, have had to contend with usage for years – and far more often than the sanctioning body.
For decades, NASCAR’s competitors had nothing to do with what we now identify as “recreational” drugs. They simply were not a part of their lifestyle. Such substances were foreign to them. Sure, you could find cocaine or heroin in the South, but you had to look pretty hard for them.
That doesn’t mean the drivers of the past didn’t indulge. Alcohol is a drug and it was readily available and used. Do not interpret this to mean it was consumed by all competitors. It wasn’t - not by any means.
But there’s no question that many times, more than one driver raced with a severe hangover – so he wasn’t much less impaired, or dangerous, than today’s user.
The only difference is the drug of choice.
Times have changed and the drivers of today have changed with them. They are younger, hail from all across the country and have knowledge of, or been introduced to, various drugs far more physically and mentally dangerous than liquor – which is not to offer any excuse for booze.
In the past, no one seemed to care if a driver showed up at a track with glazed eyes and a headache. It was part of the game.
Sometimes the guy who partied hardest the night before was considered a hero.
I don’t think that guy would be a hero today. In fact, he’d likely be fired.
And I’ll offer more on this subject.
Many drivers, and others, have forcefully declared that NASCAR’s existing drug testing policy is ineffective and should be changed.
They welcome random testing – done often and on everyone - and encourage NASCAR to implement it.
That’s exactly what NASCAR should do. Hopefully, it will happen quickly, if for no other reason than the sanctioning body can’t afford any potential disaster that may occur when one of its drivers is on the track with drugs flowing through his veins.
In its defense, when it comes to drugs, NASCAR is not alone. All other major leagues, and certainly the Olympic Games, have had to contend with usage for years – and far more often than the sanctioning body.
For decades, NASCAR’s competitors had nothing to do with what we now identify as “recreational” drugs. They simply were not a part of their lifestyle. Such substances were foreign to them. Sure, you could find cocaine or heroin in the South, but you had to look pretty hard for them.
That doesn’t mean the drivers of the past didn’t indulge. Alcohol is a drug and it was readily available and used. Do not interpret this to mean it was consumed by all competitors. It wasn’t - not by any means.
But there’s no question that many times, more than one driver raced with a severe hangover – so he wasn’t much less impaired, or dangerous, than today’s user.
The only difference is the drug of choice.
Times have changed and the drivers of today have changed with them. They are younger, hail from all across the country and have knowledge of, or been introduced to, various drugs far more physically and mentally dangerous than liquor – which is not to offer any excuse for booze.
In the past, no one seemed to care if a driver showed up at a track with glazed eyes and a headache. It was part of the game.
Sometimes the guy who partied hardest the night before was considered a hero.
I don’t think that guy would be a hero today. In fact, he’d likely be fired.
And I’ll offer more on this subject.
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Other Recent Blog Entries by Steve Waid
- Busch’s perceived villainy is OK on the track, but not away from it -
- NASCAR has a chance to make its drug policy a better one -
- Busch's best bet: stick to Sprint Cup -
- A good move – and give NASCAR credit -
- The episode that forced NASCAR to adapt -
- Drugs, in some form, aren't new to NASCAR -
- A test session at Lowe's is not a bad idea at all -
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