Just gotta jump in here.
Matt Guidera did show up in time for the test, but couldn’t produce a measurable urine sample.
In similar situations NASCAR “keeps” someone who can’t produce a measurable urine sample in the testing facility until they can. And yes, they supply all the water you can drink to help.
Dave Ring, you have good friends, but believe me, there are guys out there who will down a brew in the pits BEFORE they run. I’ve seen it more than once.
I think the point that’s missing here is that regardless of the amount of alcohol in a driver’s system, it will absolutely affect his driving and reactions. We have all seen the school tests where someone drinks a single glass of wine and then can’t navigate through a parking lot with highway cones demarking the route. It doesn’t take much to alter your perceptions and ability to think and act rationally.
In days of yore I once had a Funny Car driver in a match race situation hand me a, er, uh, hand-rolled cigarette after a big inhale, stating, “Hold this, Jon. I’ll be right back.” But that was in a different world.
I think in this situation that Allen simply didn’t realize the alcohol would still be in his system that many hours later. As Paul Rogers, Jr. and Jenn Jaramillo correctly point out, if AJ was guilty of anything he would have postponed the test until the last possible second.
PJ, it’s a one-shot deal with NHRA. No second chances.
Rich Venza, this doesn’t have a darn thing to do with being politically correct. It has everything to do with trying to keep people under the influence out of race cars and the sport safe for everyone.
Eric Boyungs, you may have a point, but at the same time you’re assuming the worst about the men and women who race for our enjoyment. Anyone who had a serious problem with alcohol or drugs, or was doing them in the pits, would have probably long since been found out. I’m not suggesting there isn’t a fall-down drunk out there racing every national event, but it’s unlikely.
Michael Wall, I think that’s unlikely. This is a guy who showed up “early” for his test, had no trouble passing the drug portion and is considered one of the sport’s good guys. Attitude and the like ultimately have a great deal to do with punishments.
Paul Sapienza, what would you have had NHRA do? Slap his wrist, say “Be a good boy and don’t drink?” You can’t alter punishments from stated rules because of “special” circumstances like the Countdown.
Chris Rosenberger, you are way off base in suggesting that NHRA gives one single s—t what MADD thinks. This was absolutely about safety. Having every driver blow in the balloon would be time-intensive, and largely a waste of it.
Brett Konken, I also thoroughly read the NJ State Police autopsy report and further agree with you that the alcohol involved probably had nothing to do with the accident – but how can we know that for sure? A driver with NO alcohol in his system may have reacted differently, but we will never know that.
Geez, Tony Baker, ya think? Of COURSE you’re right!
And so is Alan Barrett about the celebrating AFTER the race.
Randy Headley, this is no different than some major college teams and conferences as well as many pro sports opertions. Without beer advertising and support a lot of sporting events wouldn’t exist. Yeah, it’s a double-edged sword, but that’s the world we live in.
Jack Issi, while you have a point, I agree with Carl Lowell in that it’s impractical.
There is no INTENT to catch anyone with the random testing, but when you think about it, that’s exactly why it’s done that way. If everyone knew when the testing was going to take place they’d change their lifestyles accordingly (please do not bring up the ludicrous drug testing in some pro leagues!). The random testing catches out those that make what appear to be honest errors in judgment (Allen Johnson), as well as those who are secret, hard-core druggies or drinkers (Your Name here!). I don’t think we have to worry about the Allen Johnsons of the world, but we darn sure need to be leery of that other guy. We need to get him off the track until he cleans himself up. Otherwise, every competitor, every official and every spectator could be at risk because of how that “other guy” might incorrectly react to something his car does, or how he might simply drive it to the last turnoff under full throttle because he’s too stoned to know where the finish line is.
Jim Bowen, we all really agree with you on what’s important and what isn’t. But for a lot of people these discussions are relaxation, and the more impassioned they are about what’s said here, the better the discussion might become.
Hey Ted. Chill! We need to drag this on until at least the Finals. You know, set a ‘Mater record for the most comments on a thread!
Thank you, Christopher L. Williams.
He said it perfectly.
I can’t take another second of this.
Jon Asher
Senior Editor
CompetitionPlus.com
rag Racing Online::: Burk's Blast - Larry Morgan had it right - 09/22/10
