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July 12, 2007

Time to Make NASCAR Drivers Piss in the Bottle
By Dennis Michelsen
When I read about Craftsman Truck driver Aaron Fike getting busted for possession of heroin I was outraged. A few weeks ago when I interviewed up and coming Craftsman Truck driver Ryan Matthews he said, "I am one of 150 guys that get to race in NASCAR. Every day I thank God for this great opportunity and I have a responsibility to do the best I can for those guys that never get a chance." One of those other 150, Aaron Fike, felt so little of his big break that he just had to shoot heroin? On Tuesday reporter Ray Dunlap said that NASCAR knows of five guys they are watching closely. NASCAR its time to make these guys piss in the bottle so we all know who is doing drugs!

Fans Pay Their Salaries
NASCAR will make a big deal out of their drivers having a right to privacy over drug tests. But the real boss of the NASCAR drivers is us, the faithful NASCAR fan. We pay their salaries through every ticket purchase, every collectible we buy, and every NASCAR sponsor we support. Racing in NASCAR is a privilege not a right! As fans we have the right to know that impaired drivers do not taint our sport. NASCAR screwed around with Shane Hmiel giving that kid every chance. He paid them back by racing high and getting himself kicked out. Shane got one more chance to race Silver Crown Cars in USAC and once again blew it. Now we are given the saga of Aaron Fike! Fans pay these guys salaries and we have a right to know they are clean when they hit the track.

Role Models Like It Or Not
My politics lean to those of a libertarian, believing that everyone has the right to run their own lives and make their own decisions. But when someone comes to NASCAR to race they must play by the rules. Like it or not they are role models. When drivers such as Tyler Walker, Aaron Fike, and Shane Hmiel get caught doing drugs and are allowed to come back to race it sends a bad message to kids watching the sport. NASCAR better have the guts to send these guys packing for good. There are thousands of hard-working drivers all over the country and the world who would do anything to have a chance to chase their dreams. WE DO NOT NEED HACKS LIKE FIKE IN OUR SPORT!

Stop Turning Our Backs
Sponsors and teams invest millions of dollars into their drivers every season. Perhaps that is the motivation to look the other way when their drivers get involved in unacceptable behavior. But the time has come to stop emulating the stick and ball sports by giving our racing stars more and more chances to screw up. If you get caught using illegal drugs or are a repeat offender for driving drunk this sport does not need you! Let someone else who is willing to behave have that ride instead. NASCAR and their team owners know who is screwing up but they just turn their backs. This is pathetic and it has to end…NOW! What will it take for mandatory and random drug testing in the sport? Do we have to wait until a NASCAR driver kills innocent people or a fellow driver while racing or driving under the influence? Come on NASCAR it is time to make drivers piss in the bottle to make sure the sport is clean!

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