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Hey NASCAR How Can So Many Voices Not Get Heard?
4/16/08: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
In every other sport the reason drug testing procedures took so long to implement is because the player's union was showing resistance to any plan. But in NASCAR almost all of the drivers said there needs to be better testing! NASCAR says they only need to test guys if they show some behavior that warrants testing. Some of NASCAR bad guys must wonder just how much of a tantrum they need to throw before NASCAR would react. Hey NASCAR…how can so many voices not get heard?
Best Reason to Change Testing Procedures
Could you imagine the uproar if a driver involved in a huge wreck did test positive for an illegal substance and someone was seriously hurt? But no race fans that is NOT the best reason to change the current drug testing policy in NASCAR. Right now NASCAR can pick and choose whom they want to test based on the appearance of some sort of behavior. If someone throws NASCAR under the bus one too many times they have the right to punish that driver by drug testing him. While I think the days NASCAR would try to get away with that are long gone, just the appearance of using that power in improper ways can look bad for a sport trying to play with the big boys. That is the reason NASCAR needs to change their drug testing procedures.
Day That Usually Never Comes
When was the last time you saw such a high percentage of NASCAR drivers agreeing about anything? These guys can never seem to agree on anything but none of them had an issue with being randomly tested for drugs. Since as a driver your life is in the hands of those around you and those working on your car I can understand the urgency for testing. But why is NASCAR remaining silent? Are they that concerned that if a few crew guys or drivers test positive that they will be buried in bad publicity? NASCAR always brags about having fewer issues with its athletes than other sports. So have some faith in your people NASCAR and do the testing to confirm what you have always bragged about!
Lagging Behind
NASCAR lags behind the other sports in their drug testing procedures. Are drugs running rampant in NASCAR as convicted drug user Aaron Fike suggests? No I doubt that there is a huge under belly of the sport of users and abusers. But I also do not believe that the sport is full of a bunch of Saints either! The work schedules are stressful and the over use of caffeine and energy drinks has an affect on the crew and drivers alike. Do some take the next step for a little help keeping alert? Is it crazy to think that after staying pumped up on adrenaline that a few then use something else to come down from the racing high? The sad thing is that while NASCAR will tout a great record they have missed the last couple of abusers until other issues surfaced. Maybe the next Aaron Fike will cause a major wreck while racing under the influence. Hey NASCAR it is time to listen to your drivers because so many voices NEED to be heard loud and clear!
Editor's Note: What do you think about this issue? Does NASCAR need more testing or is the current plan just fine? Listen to Mike Harper, Lori Munro, and Dennis Michelsen debate this and other topics tonight on "Quick Change" at 8pm ET. Some of the other topics include "Pre-empt This," "Rumor Mania," and "NASCAR in Any Language."
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