Among the responsibilities NASCAR has prior to the 2003 season openers for its Winston Cup, Busch and Truck series next week, is collecting releases from drivers and crew members, who must agree to abide by NASCAR’s substance-abuse policy. The policy has undergone several changes over the past 10 years, but remains for the most part as it was in 2002. Last season, NASCAR tested fewer than a dozen competitors in its top-three series, said Kevin Triplett, NASCAR’s managing director of business operations. The policy outlines NASCAR’s prohibition of illegal drugs at any time in any amount; bans the use of alcohol on the day of an event; and warns of the effect of certain prescription and nonprescription medications. The release entitles NASCAR to test anyone who signs it at any time for any reason during the season. Typically, Triplett said, NASCAR tests only those who it has a “reasonable cause” to believe might have violated its policy. Some parts of the policy are stricter than state laws regarding the consumption of alcohol. For instance, a blood-alcohol level of .02 percent is considered “under the influence of alcohol” under NASCAR’s policy. A .08 finding is considered driving while impaired in North Carolina, for example. “This is a pretty dangerous sport,” Triplett said. “You have people working around machines and heavy equipment.” Triplett said he has never encountered a situation where a driver or crew member has refused to sign the release.( ThatsRacin.com )(2-7-2003)
