Drug testing in raceing

[MI Dirt Fan]

Why do we need to know who's dirty and who isn't? That really isn't anyone's business. I could go to a local track here and point out 50 drivers in the pit area that smoke a joint after the races or during the week.

[CIRF]

Oh I'm not saying it isn't their right necessarily, I'm just saying I don't want them to do it. As someone who buys their product (that being tickets to races) I would not be happy, and were my driver to test positive and be suspended I certainly would go out of my way to not support that series. All of the things you mentioned (GM, NASCAR, MLB, NFL, etc.) have one thing in common, they are all main stream (and they all suck). I couldn't give a (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word) less what any of them do, the reason everyone likes dirt racing is because it isn't NASCAR, It isn't corporate and it certainly isn't main stream.

Thanks,
Jeff.

It would be perfectly okay if a driver/your driver tested dirty and was racing under the influence? Hmmm.

It would be interesting to know how some of the other competitors would feel about racing side by side at a track such as Eldora with a driver who had tested dirty and was driving under the influence. I'm not a lawyer but common sense dictates that type of situation would expose some unsuspecting folks to some fairly serious liability, both in the pit area and on the racetrack. That would include track management/ownership and car owners, among some others that could get thrown into the mix by competent legal counsel on behalf of drivers and crew members injured or killed as a result of actions by someone who tested dirty at the time of the mishap.

That is certainly an interesting stance on the subject.

[onlyfacts]

Racing cars as powerful and speeds as high as dirt late models reach is no place for drivers using any type of drugs. Period. No right to check? It is the series or tracks responsibility to check. If someone goes on the track impaired, high or smoked up and another competitor gets hurt you will see why the series or track will have problems. Operating a race car is no different than driving down the highway. ATVs, Boats or any motorized vehicle being operated on public or private land is not legal under the influence of any controlled drugs or alcohol. Beyond that who wants to race with someone that is making decisions under the influence of some kind of drug. This isn't a question of whether or not they can test because they can. I am afraid if they do there will be some guys sitting out.

[onlyfacts]

It would be perfectly okay if a driver/your driver tested dirty and was racing under the influence? Hmmm. It would be interesting to know how some of the other competitors would feel about racing side by side at a track such as Eldora with a driver who had tested dirty and was driving under the influence. I'm not a lawyer but common sense dictates that type of situation would expose some unsuspecting folks to some fairly serious liability, both in the pit area and on the racetrack. That would include track management/ownership and car owners, among some others that could get thrown into the mix by competent legal counsel on behalf of drivers and crew members injured or killed as a result of actions by someone who tested dirty at the time of the mishap.That is certainly an interesting stance on the subject.

100% agree. Glad to see that someone on here has a clue about the law and liabilities.

[MI Dirt Fan]

I would think most if not all are using good judgment and common sense. A love for the sport fuels it and its not worth jepordizing.

Do drivers sometimes drive there own rigs therefore require expanded licenses that require a drug test?

[onlyfacts]

I would think most if not all are using good judgment and common sense. A love for the sport fuels it and its not worth jepordizing. Do drivers sometimes drive there own rigs therefore require expanded licenses that require a drug test?

I would like to believe what your saying is true but...... I have reasons to know it is not.

[W2Racing09]

It would be perfectly okay if a driver/your driver tested dirty and was racing under the influence? Hmmm.

It would be interesting to know how some of the other competitors would feel about racing side by side at a track such as Eldora with a driver who had tested dirty and was driving under the influence. I'm not a lawyer but common sense dictates that type of situation would expose some unsuspecting folks to some fairly serious liability, both in the pit area and on the racetrack. That would include track management/ownership and car owners, among some others that could get thrown into the mix by competent legal counsel on behalf of drivers and crew members injured or killed as a result of actions by someone who tested dirty at the time of the mishap.

That is certainly an interesting stance on the subject.

I also find your stance on reading posts on message boards to be interesting as well. That being not to read anything at all apparently. Please see post #2 in this thread.

I am fully against random testing, especially as more and more states continue to legalize certain drugs. As stated in post #2 of this thread, when a track/series has suspicion that anything (whether that be alcohol or drugs) is being used by a driver prior to taking to the track then I am fine with testing at that point. It is common sense not to race under the influence (as illustrated by the Ward/Stewart incident). But to expect that these drivers are never going to pick up a joint in their life is ridiculous, lord knows I did in my younger years and I'm no worse of a person as a result.

Thanks,
Jeff.

[onlyfacts]

I also find your stance on reading posts on message boards to be interesting as well. That being not to read anything at all apparently. Please see post #2 in this thread.Thanks,Jeff.

Opinions like yours is all good till someone gets hurt.

[W2Racing09]

Opinions like yours is all good till someone gets hurt.

What opinion is that? Do you really think because a driver takes a few hits on Tuesday night that he is a danger to someone at the track on Saturday?

Thanks,
Jeff.

[kidrock]

What opinion is that? Do you really think because a driver takes a few hits on Tuesday night that he is a danger to someone at the track on Saturday?

Thanks,
Jeff.

I think If someone takes a few hits on Tuesday he probably takes a few hits the day of the races as well but, I would be more concerned of harder drugs or Alcohol when it comes right down to it. Maybe Radom test would be better. I don't see why drivers should not have the confidence other drivers are not on drugs or Alcohol when they are on the track.

[Umpdirt1]

How soon we forget. Kevin Ward. Nuff said.

[MI Dirt Fan]

How soon we forget. Kevin Ward. Nuff said.

I don't think that was 100% the drugs taking over. Just plain stupidity. Everyone will say that but the family and lawyers.

[Barbecueboy]

Oh I'm not saying it isn't their right necessarily, I'm just saying I don't want them to do it. As someone who buys their product (that being tickets to races) I would not be happy, and were my driver to test positive and be suspended I certainly would go out of my way to not support that series. All of the things you mentioned (GM, NASCAR, MLB, NFL, etc.) have one thing in common, they are all main stream (and they all suck). I couldn't give a (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word) less what any of them do, the reason everyone likes dirt racing is because it isn't NASCAR, It isn't corporate and it certainly isn't main stream.

Thanks,
Jeff.

Kind of a weird question I guess, but you say you would go out of your way to not support the series if they suspended your driver for coming up dirty?

I guess the weird part to me is, why wouldn't you just not support your drug doing driver that's puttin lives at risk If that were the case?

[W2Racing09]

Kind of a weird question I guess, but you say you would go out of your way to not support the series if they suspended your driver for coming up dirty?

I guess the weird part to me is, why wouldn't you just not support your drug doing driver that's puttin lives at risk If that were the case?

If my driver was out on theach track drunk or stoned that is one thing, but as I said -- what they do away from the track is their own personal business. If you were to ban drivers for positive drug testing you are guaranteeing that at least one of the best drivers in DLM history wouldn't have been able to race. I doubt he ever ran a race jacked up, but in his free time...

[CIRF]

I also find your stance on reading posts on message boards to be interesting as well. That being not to read anything at all apparently. Please see post #2 in this thread.

I am fully against random testing, especially as more and more states continue to legalize certain drugs. As stated in post #2 of this thread, when a track/series has suspicion that anything (whether that be alcohol or drugs) is being used by a driver prior to taking to the track then I am fine with testing at that point. It is common sense not to race under the influence (as illustrated by the Ward/Stewart incident). But to expect that these drivers are never going to pick up a joint in their life is ridiculous, lord knows I did in my younger years and I'm no worse of a person as a result.

Thanks,
Jeff.

No need to read it a second time. It will make no more sense the second time than it did the first, thank you.

A lack of suspicion does not relieve a sanction or track ownership and management of liability in the event of an injury or fatality when the person who created the causation had drugs or alcohol in his system. That is simply common sense.

Anytime a person is in a position where their judgement, reaction time and general hand to eye coordination, or lack thereof, puts innocent folks well being and/or lives at risk then they should be drug tested either randomly or regularly. If for no other reason but to circumvent any possible drug related liability. It's easy, just don't be doin' dope if what you do could put innocent people at risk.

To rationalize acceptance of drug use and abuse in dirt late model racing because it's a "niche sport", out of the mainstream is very easy for a spectator with nothing at stake. It becomes a bit more of an issue when something more substantial than the cost of admission is at risk.