NASCAR Drug Testing Policy
Aaron Fike Admitted To Driving Under The Influence Of Heroin
Hopefully, Aaron Fike is not the only one who learns from this debacle.
Ever since ESPN The Magazine featured an interview in which former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Aaron Fike confessed to racing while under the influence of heroin, NASCAR has taken a thrashing from the media, fans, and the drivers regarding their current drug testing policy.
Their random drug testing, which has been in effect since 1988, primarily includes drivers under the suspicion of drug use. Well, they let this one slip through the cracks, as security guards at an amusement park caught Fike and his girlfriend red handed. NASCAR immediately suspended Fike following his arrest.
The fact that NASCAR did not discover Fike’s drug use became a PR nightmare. There is no telling how many more races Fike would have driven while under the influence before NASCAR caught on. Drivers such as Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, and Ryan Newman candidly stated their opinion on NASCAR’s drug testing policy, and it was not in NASCAR’s behalf. They all brought out valid points, and NASCAR should mandate a more effective drug testing policy.
However, NASCAR should not have to do this alone. Every NASCAR team in the garage is corporation. That includes Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, Roush Fenway Racing, all the way to Furniture Row Racing and Front Row Motorsports. When applying for a job at the local Food Lion, they require a drug test for all potential employees because it is company policy. Perhaps all NASCAR teams should adopt the same practice.
It is not public knowledge as to which teams enforce drug testing to their employess, if any at all, but by doing this, it would prevent potential users from ever entering the sport. Of course, addiction may begin after a driver’s career has taken off, so that is where NASCAR and the teams should implement a structured drug testing policy.
The idea of random drug testing can be effective because the driver has no idea when NASCAR will summon him to the bathroom with a little cup. Nevertheless, random selection should apply to all drivers throughout each month. By abiding by this type of policy ensures that the bad apples are exposed, and the sport would be clean for the most part. It seems simple, but NASCAR’s president Mike Helton defended the current policy they have in place, so any possible change in the system may never occur. Moreover, with frequent drug testing, there is a likelihood of a perceived drug problem in NASCAR, which could sour its public image.
The bottom line is that Aaron Fike put lives in danger. If that is going on with another driver, NASCAR and its drivers need to know. Hopefully, Fike is not the only one who learns from this debacle.
