Drug policy updated

NASCAR adopts random testing

DOVER, DEL. -- NASCAR joined the ranks of most professional sports, announcing Saturday it would adopt random drug testing for its drivers, over-the-wall pit crew members and officials beginning next season.

Currently, NASCAR's policy permits testing when officials have a "reasonable suspicion" someone is using a banned substance. That policy will remain in effect.

"We have made a very good policy even better with the addition of random tests," NASCAR chairman Brian France said. "NASCAR's policy has given us the ability to test anyone, anywhere, at any time.

"Random tests now provide us and the industry with additional information."

The new policy mandates all drivers in NASCAR's three national series -- Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck -- be tested during 2009 preseason testing at Daytona International Speedway by officials with the AEGIS Sciences Corp., a sports and forensic certified testing laboratory.

All team owners will be required to verify all licensed crew members have been tested by a certified lab prior to the start of the season. NASCAR will test its officials prior to the start of the 2009 season.

"We have talked to a lot of industry experts. It has always been incumbent upon NASCAR to put safety first, and the nature of this program is safety-first," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR's vice president of race operations.

What NASCAR did not do was unveil a list of banned substances. NASCAR officials maintain a list is restrictive and they reserve the right to test for any substance.

The random testing administered by AEGIS will likely involve at least two drivers, two over-the-wall pit crew members and two NASCAR officials in each series each race weekend.

Penalties for violation of NASCAR's policy will continue to be among the harshest in sports, which includes immediate suspension from competition. It is possible a competitor could receive a lifetime ban for just one violation. A third violation will automatically result in a lifetime ban, however.