September 2nd, 2009 
T.C. Maybe I’m giving people too much credit here, but I continue to be shocked by the fact that NASCAR has again busted more crew members with the new drug testing. In case you missed it, they nabbed three more guys recently, including former ASA and short track ace Gary St. Amant. I just don’t understand how people, knowing the policy is in full effect, put themselves into such a bad position. Is it really worth throwing away your career?
Every week, NASCAR selects “X’ number of crew guys and has them pee in a cup. From what I know the names are chosen at random by a computer program. I have no idea what exactly the numbers are, but there is a good chance at some point everybody will be tested (besides the initial test to get our licenses). It would also seem feasible that there is a chance some people won’t be tested. But taking that chance, and hoping one doesn’t get tested, seems like a loaded version of Russian Roulette.
The most recent announcement from NASCAR was that they caught three crew members including St. Amant, a Cup guy from Roush Fenway, and another from St. Amant’s team. From what I’ve heard, St. Amant was serving as crew chief for driver Brett Butler in the Truck Series race at Bristol a few weeks back. When the team arrived at the track, none of them had NASCAR licenses. They were immediately sent to be tested, and after the samples were taken, they were then allowed into the track. According to NASCAR’s new policy, to work on a team you need a license, and the only way to get a license is to be tested. Two of those tested ended up failing.
The testing policy has been in the news a ton this year thanks to Jeremy Mayfield. So explain to me how you show up to the track, knowing you need to be tested to get a license, with something in your system? It doesn’t make sense.
And before you decide to jump on me about how we don’t know what they tested positive for, and it’s NASCAR, etc., let me say this: if these guys are innocent, how come they haven’t said a word? I know if I was accused of failing a drug test and I was innocent, I would be shouting it from the mountain tops.
Of the ten or twelve NASCAR has busted this year, I think it’s interesting to note that we haven’t heard a word about any of them trying to get back in. The suspension is indefinite, and it appears that if a treatment program is completed and Dr. David Black is satisfied, that reinstatement is realistic. Think of the attention one of these guys would get if they were the first to be reinstated after a failed test.
I apologize to some of you for again broaching this topic. I know it’s been beaten to death, and you are probably sick of reading about it, but I wanted to comment. Maybe I’m alone in my feelings, but seeing those announcements really makes me cringe. It’s a terrible shame for the sport as a whole, the teams, but especially the people and families involved. Hopefully these suspensions serve as a turning point, and these guys get some help.
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I was totally floored and disappointed to read Gary St. Amant was among those who failed the drug test.
T.C. – “Of the ten or twelve NASCAR has busted this year, I think it’s interesting to note that we haven’t heard a word about any of them trying to get back in.”
Precisely, Mayfield is the only one squawking and he has a history of crass behavior during the Evernham lawsuit, a suit he easily would have won on the merits without dragging personal baggage into it.
My thought is ” If you light the fire then you have to take the heat”.
The public looking for reasone, spacific chemical and trying to make something other that it is by changing the recipe is not acceptable.
What about the 98% that go about their jobs without the aid of an altered state. They are the ones we should try to help not some person that knows the ploice are looking and sticks the hand in anyway.
back in the 80′s when the DOT started testing tractor/trailer drivers for drugs and alcohol, I thought it was easier to quite than fight, not that I did a lot of either but did watch what OTC meds I took,
thanks for the info
with a test that has proven to be less than 100% accurate, I cannot believe that they would publish names for what is a medical issue. it is a witch hunt and just another example of idiocy of NASCAR headquarters. Dr. Black and his senator wife are nothing but opportunists playing on the fears/hate of others.
Is this an under the influence test? You want to watch me pee in a cup, then you are going to dissect my pee to see if I may have done something two weeks ago (an off weekend)? Or ruin my life with an 80% chance your right?
What happened to a free country? Free my arse.
We assume no one has taken Dr. Black up on his program. We have no idea how long his program takes and whom pays for it.. Team member, team, or Nascar. From what the payscale is on most lower level teams I am sure it is cheaper to find another job then challange the test or go in the rehab program.
I do think it is totally stupid to risk your career on any possible banned substance. If I was in there shoes, I wouldn’t even take B/C Powder. Who knows what that will turn up as a false result for.
most of these people are not fron page news on sites like NASCAR.com, espn, foxsports. I am sure Mayfield is the only one who took it to the media, or the media came to him and NASCAR, some of these crew members have day jobs during the week, and are weekend warriors
To some extent the drug problem is something like cigarettes. Probably very hard to quit either one for some folks. My problem is the media, who seem to think they can drag anyone who even has a hint of a problem down their gutter. They have their own agenda, which is to sell their garbage, no matter who or what they harm. We had a guy at work who got canned for a problem, but no hype or anything. Let’s just let it go, with the assumption that yes, it happens, and no, you don’t need to keep harping on it. NASCAR is a great sport, but the dirty laundry does not need to be on the front page.
Mayfield’s deal turned into a media circus, there was a ruling in his favor by the judge on his case on tuesday, but it was not a victory and the appeals court ruling still stands until OCT, when the appeal will be heard. it is rare in NASCAR that the media interviews crew members. Drivers crew chiefs and owners get all the attention…
Well, it does depend on what they were caught with in their system.
If its an addictive drug, then that’s your answer. They’re addicted. Someone addicted to meth just isn’t going to stop. Ever. Not if there’s a test, not if they’re unemployed. Until they get treatment.
If its something like pot, steroids, or other drugs that you can easily control- then, yes, its stupid.
I agree that having three more people added to the list of offenders makes me cringe. However, given the circumstances of the two crew members with no credentials (and the fact that one of them was Gary St Amant – former ASA ace and recent USAR Pro Cup North champion) really makes me question the validity of the tests.
Is this Nascar’s lame attempt to ‘back up’ the validity of their testing policy by nabbing a couple of guys that have no ability to fight back? I don’t for one minute believe that they didn’t know they’d be tested, and nobody (I don’t care how stoned or whatever you are) is dumb enough to put themselves in a position where they will be tested if they’re not clean.
Something here stinks, I just can’t figure out what yet…
If I am not mistaken, NASCAR checks for both drugs and alcohol when they test. Alcohol is not illegal. It would go a long way to credibility if NASCAR would name the drug that was found in a positive test. NASCAR would then have credibility and fans would be able to judge better for themselves. A NASCAR license is not a right but a privilege. Applications for the license could have a release waiver to cover any privacy matters. Not willing to have it disclosed to the public, don’t bother to apply.
GIVE US A LIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its been to long to not have a list! There are plenty of leagues out there with a list in place, pick one. Its pretty bad when someone is sick and they go to a drug store, get some medicine and fail a test. Or worse not buy the medicine for fear of failing. now im not saying everyone is innocent, but give us a list. Without a list nascar can look at a drug test and say “hhhmmm i dont like what that person took.”and they fail them.
NASCAR has been doing these drug tests for years, there were a few cup drivers that wanted more randon testing and those drivers came out in the media for more random tests, and NASCAR started their new policy on randon tests. why, maybe these drivers that pushed for more testing knew something more than NASCAR had known. People take drug tests every day for DOT that drive over the road and get caught doing drugs. yes they do drugs even though they know they may end up being called for a randon test!
For many years I was responsible for the tests where I worked (a hospital). I saw many false positives that had to be confirmed (or proved wrong) by far more expensive tests. Most companies do not want to spend over $1000 to find out if their employees are using drugs so they stick to the test strips and other inexpensive options but they can be fooled by anything from oregano in italian food to simple OTC meds from the health and beauty section at Walmart. No test is %100 accurate.
This country has a major drug problem. I read an article about how The Columbian and Mexican drug cartels are laughing at us because they know EXACTLY how much drugs they shipped and who they bribe to get it done. They laugh because while we pretend to hate drugs, the drug flow is massive. The war on drugs is over, and drugs won.
Who is on drugs? who is not in drugs?? who knows??.
If they want to get real, the top brass of NASCAR, Brian France and Mike Helton, would volunteeer to step up and also be required to pee in the cup. Track owners and sponsors and should be required,,,lets see who else??,,where do we draw the line? SOMEBODY IS DOING ALL THESE IMPORTED DRUGS, shall we find out??, maybe lets test EVERYBODY. I will go first.
Maybe they need an INDEPENDENT OUTSIDE company that is granted access to every NASCAR DOOR. They could go in to ANY pit or ANY OFFICE at Nascar, and require them to pee in a cup randomly. Then it would be fair.
Who gets teseted, who does not? Do the guys driving kids in school buses get tested? Do Polce and firemen get tested? How about the pilot flying your plane?
Why do people keep getting caught?
Because this country is hooked on drugs.
If it not meth of cocane it is Plavix, Valium or any of those other drugs advertised on TV. There are so many drugs out there…the ones to help you sleep, the ones to wake you up, pep juice in a can. There a drug out there that can make any sad bubble happy again.
Maybe lets test EVERYBODY, I will go first.
I have a friend who is a firefighter. When his shift starts at 6am, he doesn’t drink the night before. Why? Because he knows he could show up at 6am and have to potty in a cup. It’s all about personal responsibility. I signed something that says I’m not allowed to be under the influence of illegal drugs and alcohol at work. Therefore, I don’t drink whisky at lunch. It’s pretty easy really.
That said, I have absolute first hand knowledge of a poppy seed hamburger bun really screwing up a friend when he tested positive for opiates. There needs to be a fair and affordable appeal process.
SnowGod,
You must be nuts, I have never seen a positive drug screen caused by oregano. It certainly does not cost $1000 to cofirm a positive drug screen by GC/MS. While no screen is considered 100% accurate, from my experience GOD does not agrue with a GC/MS result. People still use because they figure it is a numbers game and that their number won’t come up. Some don’t get caught, but some do. It is a problem and will continue to be problem.
hahaha, when NASCAR’s Top Brass start driving in races, then I am sure they will be tested, but NASCAR doesn’t just test drivers and pit crews, they also randon test their own employees! drugs aren’t the problem, it is the people who abuse drugs, no different than a drunk driver, it’s who it affects the most or can affect the most, other people. one can sit in their home alone and do what they wish, as long as it doesn’t affect others.
kaoscapt – “However, given the circumstances of the two crew members with no credentials (and the fact that one of them was Gary St Amant – former ASA ace and recent USAR Pro Cup North champion) really makes me question the validity of the tests.”
Why the doubt? Because you think someone of St Amant stature can’t possibly be using drugs? If so how does that explain Mayfield who anyone would say is a higher profile “victim?”
Do you actually think people once they reach a certain level of stature or notoriety can’t possibly ever use drugs?
If that be the case you need to scan the papers more frequently and note many famous people that have been busted, and or entered rehab. Social status or income level has zero to do with drug abuse.
DANG IT, sorry, but I must humbly recend my offer to volunteer to be first one tested, because if it one thing I love to eat, it is oregano spiced burgers on a poppy seed buns. ; )
d man – “Mayfield’s deal turned into a media circus, there was a ruling in his favor by the judge on his case on tuesday, but it was not a victory and the appeals court ruling still stands until OCT,”
Well gee, nothing like leaving out the most important part of Judge Mullen’s ruling.
Judge Mullen also said he would have been inclined to grant NASCAR’s request to reinstate the suspension due to “new factual developments in the case,” you know like a third positive test for meth and entered into the court’s record.
Mayfield didn’t gain anything and Judge Mullen only issued a ruling because 1. he was over ruled by a higher court, 2. new facts entered in the record convinced him that a suspension was needed and 3 he cleared the case from his court and washed his hands of the matter.
Just because they failed a NASCAR drug test does not mean they were using some illegal drug. The NASCAR policy covers performance alterring and illegal drugs. They could have flunked the test because they had drunk a beer to soon before the test or had taken a cough medicine containing codeine.
On the other hand, if one of them had smoked some marijuana a few hours before the test, NASCAR’s disclosing exactly the reason for the failed test could expose that person to possible criminal exposure.
To the writer of this article:
With all due respect to you sir, I believe this was a slingshot opinion from a person whom is quite uneducated in the legal and medical world ! For starters, are you familiar with the Federal HIPPA law’s ? Something tells me your answer is “no” ! I, along with everybody else except for Jeremy Mayfield, know’s if he is innocent or guilty of abusing Meth. Unless you have some secret crystal ball, which I doubt. The accumulitive tests will be the ultimite teller. If it is proved to be a false accusation, then NASCAR will pay dearly, which they should. If multiple independant tests show positive, then Mayfield should pay the piper. If Mayfield was legally taking a prescribed prescription for a medical issue, and that drug altered his driving abilities, then he should have been suspended from drivin while under the influence of said drug, or drugs. NASCAR had better be 100% positive that Mayfield was under the influence of METH. That is what they told the world!
Jim- I would urge you to go back and read this post, because from your comment it would appear we didn’t read the same thing. As someone who is in fact familiar with HIPAA I’m not at all sure what you are referring to. The HIPAA privacy rule provides people privacy in the disclosure of personal medical matters from various organizations dealing with health care. That though is not all applicable to this post or frankly any other we have written as we aren’t a hospital or insurance company. If you would like more information about HIPAA privacy rules click here.
Jim – WTF? Not only does TC NOT ask for NASCAR to tell us what anybody tested positive for, the only reference to JM is that due to his troubles the testing policy has gotten a lot of press. TC does not state an opinion at all about JM. What article did you read?
Christopher – yes – “If its an addictive drug, then that’s your answer. They’re addicted.” Quitting is easier said than done.
I have never been addicted to anything and I am guessing from TC’s comments, he has not either. To me, “just quitting” seems like a really easy decision and getting busted is just stupid. For the addicted, it is not so easy.
A complete side note, drug addiction can be classified as a disability. This opens up some legal protections to the employees to seek help, get better, not lose their job and maybe save their career (and life). Of course, you have to admit to a problem before you get busted.
To me, seeking that help and saving my career would be a pretty easy, logical decision. But logic and drug addiction do not go hand in hand.
Jim from Cali – “If multiple independant [sic] tests show positive, then Mayfield should pay the piper. “
That’s what we have now isn’t it?
Two tests were positive from Aegis Labs, a third positive was found by a second independent lab.
And BTW, you can chase the Federal HIPPA law down any rabbit hole you desire, you’ll just end up in a deep hole looking up, they don’t apply to this case and neither is NASCAR’s drug policy required to follow Fed guidelines as JM’s shysters falsely claim.