The new drug testing policy of NASCAR shows good results since all the drivers for the mandatory test for preseason were all negative for any banned substances. Under the new policy, drivers will be required to undergo drug testing which will focus on narcotics, beta blockers and steroids. Crew members are also included in the drug test.

During the entire season at Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR will conduct random testing through the help of an independent laboratory. An average of 12 to 14 crew members per series will be tested each weekend. Two drivers from each series will also undergo a drug test. A failed test by a driver will be made public while crew members who may get a positive result are excluded. Under this new policy, three failed tests will result in an automatic lifetime ban.

The new policy can be attributed to the issue in the last season where the former Truck Series driver Aaron Fike admitted that he competed under the influence of heroin. Drug testing is not mandatory in the past and testing was done only on “reasonable suspicion”.

According to the report from ESPN.com, the drivers from the Sprint Cup,Nationwide and Nationwide Truck Series passed their first round of drug testing. However, some crew members failed in the drug test according to NASCAR officials last week. Two crew members from the Truck Series returned a positive result for one of the substances banned by the organization. Kevin Harvick expects that there are more from the other two series.

During media day at Daytona International Speedway Harvick said that “There’s definitely more out there. There’s a lot of people that are looking for jobs right now that are straight-up people. It couldn’t have come at a better time.” He also said that he wasn’t pleased with a couple of tests they got from their team at KHI. “We had a couple of people that didn’t do so good, but that’s what it’s for. The pit crew guys have known this stuff was coming. I don’t have any tolerance for that stuff,” he added.

Most of the drivers and team owners welcomed this new policy of NASCAR. Kevin Harvick said that the policy is doing what it is supposed to. Three-time defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson also agreed that NASCAR was right to be pro-active. Although according to him its a little bit odd to go into a room with another man and have him watch you pee in a cup.

Moreover, Johnson said that racing should be separated from other sports. He pointed out that everybody should be on top of these illegal drugs which made a lot of issues through the years. There is really a need to have a policy on this and he is glad that it is already in place.

Another positive response comes from the driver and owner of Michael Waltrip Racing. Michael Waltrip said “I love the fact that NASCAR stepped up and said that’s what we have to do.” He believes that everybody needs to be held accountable. “Racecar drivers are independent contractors. That in itself says I’m independent. The truth is, whether it’s me or some kid starting up, a lot of people’s livelihoods depend on what you do and how you act,” he added.

The 2003 Cup Champion Matt Kenseth said that NASCAR should have implemented the policy long time ago.”I don’t think there’s really anything going on we needed to catch, and yet it’s a comforting feeling when you’re out there going 200 mph knowing everybody is in the same shape that you are,” Kenseth said.

NASCAR chairman Brian France explained that the new drug testing policy for narcotics, beta blockers and steroids does not mean that they have a big problem with the riders. They implemented the new policy just to make sure they were doing everything they could to have a thorough policy.

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