Strasburg suspended from nhra competition

[n/a]

i dont see where the NHRA is at fault.Im the owner of a moderate sized trucking company,and im in a drug consortium pool with 200 other drivers. When your name is picked you have 24hrs to complete drug test,its the drivers responsibility to have this done if they dont they are removed from the truck and the job is terminated...no gray area here.The rules are very clear.Now, should every drug testing facility wait for the driver to show up???? Im not thinking so.....everyone take accountabilty for his own job...simple.But is so easy to want to place blame on someone else or try to change the rules.Man-up....take accountablity for your actions.

 

[Tumbleweed]

Read the story people. He didn't wait until the end. He did go Friday and tried to test but they had closed. Running two cars makes a limited amount of time. The two vials seems odd. The obviously have enough to test.

Thank you PJ for reiterating that Mike DID make the effort to do what he was asked to do, and more than once........... I read that before I ever posted and it's right there written in black and white.

Maybe we should make a most wanted poster of Mike at every race so they can make sure that for 1 year, he won't be allowed to walk in. This way HIRED TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT STAFF will have immediate FACE Recognition so they can call the 17 Chiefs in charge to make sure that he's not allowed to be in attendance.

I'm joking of course about Mike (not the temp staff).

@Milt I have no doubt that Mike (being the person he is) is taking 100% Full Responsibility and beating himself up immensely of shoulda woulda coulda. I just hope he Appeals this and wins..............

 

[Tumbleweed]

Show me a person who can ingest that much liquid and not P until 9am the next day, and I'll show you a person so dehydrated they should be in the hospital....

I had never really given fluid intake a whole lot of thought until the year we raced in Bowling Green.

We were Racing in very warm conditions, the emt's came around to every racer that had not been there before and forewarned us that if you don't use the bathroom every 30 to 45 minutes, you do not have enough fluid in you.

Well when your racing and thrashing, owner, driver, crew chief, etc......It's very easy to not drink enough water or any fluid for that matter, and then your body absorbs the fluid you put in (even to the amount the you feel sick from drinking) until it's ready to flush again.

According to the EMT, it goes unnoticed by most, but for some, they are very sensitive to it and suffer heat stroke. She also said that it may take your body hours (sometimes 4 to 6 hrs) to finally process the fluids before any run through your system. I'm not saying that this is the case with Mike, BUT That could be A Reason why so much fluid without any results..........

 

[FuelFC]

As a CDL holder and in the pool... have been for over 20 years I have never had to pee in more than one cup. They give you one and they split it right there when you walk out. One pee, one cup.

And it ain't like they need a gallon for a drug check. 45ml is all that is needed for a split check that is about 1 1/2 ounces.

BTW the said person and most one crew from one team who have given their personal bodily function reports are all fine and not in need of any medical attention.

 

[BaldyLochs]

This all sucks. Is it permissable (or advantageous whatsoever) to throw someone else in the seat during this suspension? I don't know Mike and never met him in the pits.... but I humbly admit that I, am completley qualified to speak in terms of FAA/DOT Testing standards that are used to protect YOU and your loved ones everyday when you get onboard an airplane to fly somewhere in this greatcountry......let me just say......... I think Mr. Strausburg and his crew, sponsors and fans - got hosed here.

 

[JB3]

Read the story people. He didn't wait until the end. He did go Friday and tried to test but they had closed. Running two cars makes a limited amount of time. The two vials seems odd. The obviously have enough to test.

PJ ... its not like they were open for just an hour during the TF session. They are open from first thing in the morning when they start the notification process. You mean to tell me the thought is the station should stay open long enough to accomodate Mike's busy schedule? By 6pm Friday he had more than ample opportunity to get there. He had the necessary 5 minutes to go there. His poor decision.

Would the test be really fair if all the time in the world was given to provide a sample? That's how you catch violators ... give only a prescribed period of time. Not saying he's a violator. He used poor judgment not making this a priority and is soley to blame for the situation he put himself and team in.

The rules of the program are clearly spelled out in the policy and the 3rd party representative who serves you papers tells you when your deadline is.

Again .. this is not NHRA's deal. They hired a 3rd party contractor to conduct and administer the entire program. NHRA is only notified of "Failures" or "No Shows". For the test to maintain integrity, policy must remain consistent from person to person or it is worthless. It cannot be modified for individual circumstances.

 

[qtermile14]

There is one thing I have not seen mentioned here. The penalty for not taking the test vs the penalty for failing a test. I remember last year, when Pro Stock driver Alan Johnson failed the breathalyzer test the morning of eliminations, and was only suspended for the rest of that race. I know that was not the urine test for drugs, but he still failed a test, which you would think would have a longer suspension than failing to take the urine test, especially if there were valid attempts made. I am not saying Mike should not be penalized, just that the penalty be for less than a year if valid attempts were made that included producing at least a vial, and that failing the breathalyzer should have a penalty for more than the balance of that event. In fact, that penalty should be for more than for failing to take the test with valid attempts.

 

[PJ]

PJ ... its not like they were open for just an hour during the TF session. They are open from first thing in the morning when they start the notification process. You mean to tell me the thought is the station should stay open long enough to accomodate Mike's busy schedule? By 6pm Friday he had more than ample opportunity to get there. He had the necessary 5 minutes to go there. His poor decision.

Would the test be really fair if all the time in the world was given to provide a sample? That's how you catch violators ... give only a prescribed period of time. Not saying he's a violator. He used poor judgment not making this a priority and is soley to blame for the situation he put himself and team in.

The rules of the program are clearly spelled out in the policy and the 3rd party representative who serves you papers tells you when your deadline is.

Again .. this is not NHRA's deal. They hired a 3rd party contractor to conduct and administer the entire program. NHRA is only notified of "Failures" or "No Shows". For the test to maintain integrity, policy must remain consistent from person to person or it is worthless. It cannot be modified for individual circumstances.

Don't you think the tester should have told him he needed to fill a second bottle before letting him leave AND that it had to happen then? Personally I would rather than serve the papers right after a run then walk them right to the test area. Or test them when they show up for the first time for the weekend. No need to wait 24 hours.

 

[Jim]

As a Railroad conductor we are also subject to DOT drug testing whether it be random, probable cause, or post accident. Like others have said before, you pee once and the sample is split. A number of years back we had an employee test positive for heroin and was pulled from service. It was well known this employee didn't drink never mind do drugs, even the supervisor who took him out of service said he couldn't believe it. The second vial was further tested and it came back for poppy seeds. The employee was returned to work after about a week and given the pay he missed, including the money for an overtime shift he would have worked.

We don't get 24 hours to show up. A supervisor meets us and escorts us to person doing the test. In our case the company doing the test uses a box truck that has been modified with a lavatory. We then have a certain amount of time to produce a sample, I believe 3 hours. Last time I was randomly tested I had peed about a hour before. Per procedure I had to try to produce a sample, even thought I had told the collector I did not have to go. After that the collector escorted me from the truck to our break room when I was given water to drink until I had to go, all under their supervision. I was escorted back to the truck where I produced enough of a sample, it was then split right in front of me, the vials were sealed and I initialed both on the seal, test done.

I know that drag racing does not lend it self to immediate testing, so I can understand giving the testee time, but 24 hours is more then adequate. One time I took the test in less the 12 min from the time my supervisor told me about it until I was done. I know this because I had a flight to make to go to the Gators and the train I was working got in at 838a and the train back to my car left at 850a. It was also around the time they started using the truck, so when my supervisor told me to get in the van I told him I had issues dropping my pants for a stranger in a van

I'm not sure if when handed the papers about the test it tells them what time the testing center is open until, but I could see why Mike was surprised that it was closed. By looking at the Event Schedule racing was still going on at 6pm. So while that stinks and maybe the testing centers should remain open until racing has ended for the day, he still had time the next day to test.

 

[Baron]

There is one thing I have not seen mentioned here. The penalty for not taking the test vs the penalty for failing a test. I remember last year, when Pro Stock driver Alan Johnson failed the breathalyzer test the morning of eliminations, and was only suspended for the rest of that race. I know that was not the urine test for drugs, but he still failed a test, which you would think would have a longer suspension than failing to take the urine test, especially if there were valid attempts made. I am not saying Mike should not be penalized, just that the penalty be for less than a year if valid attempts were made that included producing at least a vial, and that failing the breathalyzer should have a penalty for more than the balance of that event. In fact, that penalty should be for more than for failing to take the test with valid attempts.

We have a winner!
I spent a lot of years as a criminal prosecutor. Guess what, sports fans?
Not everyone got the death penalty.
The one year suspension and $2500 fine are absurd for a failure of test compliance. He didn't fail the test.
The NHRA should have a reasonable penalty for a first time failure to meet the time required. A tough penalty, so it doesn't get repeated, but a reasonable one.
Strict compliance rules are one thing - they don't require anyone to think. Destroying the sport with ludicrous penalties is quite another.
Cheers,
Ed

 

["Dr. Dirt"]

This is my first post in years. I got sick of the keyboard crew-chief mentality laying down the law without a clue here. This thread is yet another great example of why I left.

Anyone who doesn't know Mike Strasburg has missed something very special. Anyone who thinks Mike would skirt any such test doesn't know Mike at all and many of you should be ashamed for your comments.

Here's another example of the NHRA and their double standards. Positive test at an event gets a major Pro Stock driver only that event suspended while single vile (which should have been split by the NHRA) gets a year? Makes you wonder what the NHRA's President Tom Compton got for driving under the influence in the middle of the night in Compton in 2003 got for his penalty? Oh, that's right. He gave himself another raise.

Now, back to keyboard crew-chief lynching of a wonderful man and valued asset to our sport.

 

[sparky]

When I have to pee for my employment, I always have to fill up 2 bottles. I'm not sure why but it's just the way it's done for me.

One time I flushed the toilet in the pee area. That was a no-no. I had to wait there until I could pee again and that was around an hour and a half. There is no if ands or buts about it. If I wanted to avoid suspension and endless counseling, I would have to give a satifactory sample.

In the Complus article, Mike S. admitted to messing up and only blamed himself. Pretty stand up guy, it seems. I hope this gets resolved soon and he can come back out and race. I'm pretty sure he has nothing to hide. He just messed up. The guy has too much to lose to be a doper. You don't get to the place he is in by being stupid. That's for sure.

I'd like to see NHRA let him submit a re-test immediately and call it a day. But that's just me.

 

[jm]

Just a quick thought:
1. Track temp. 130%
2. SFI 20 suit, gloves,boots.
3. Mike works on his own car and doesnt nap in an airconditioned hauler
between rounds.
4. First HOT race of the season.
5. Drink all the water you want, maybe all you have in you is 1 vial.
6. So NHRA ruins a mans career because they cant pour some of vial 1
into vial 2.

7. I wonder if Rick Stewart got tested at the gators.

 

[NiTROhype]

Absolutely SUCKS for Strasburg. I have been an athletic trainer for 15 years. NCAA and NFL policy is to monitor until the subject produces a sample. We have lots of water and juice. Eventually, if you keep pushing fluids, he'll go.

Anyway, any chance Cory Mac might be able to pilot the Pro Comp dragster at the events previously slated?? I have no idea if this is even possible or at all likely...just askin'.

 

[Randy]

Here we go again ... can everybody just once stop trying to spin everything as a negative against the NHRA. If you know anything about the practice of DRUG & ALCOHOL testing (that's right, this isn't just a booze test), NHRA has adopted a pretty standard version administered by a private 3rd party.

Not making an accusing statement, but again this test isn't just about alcohol. This is all pretty simple yet the liberal nature of this board wants to paint Mike as a Martyr. I don't know Mr. Strasbug from Adam's Uncle ... but you get 24 hours to comply. If he understood the gravity of the program, this should have been a prioirty on his schedule. So, what if the station was closed at 6pm ... you can't tell me he couldn't find the time to get this out off the way sooner than 6 pm on Friday and that the team can't manage the car for literally 5 minutes? Please.

You are served your papers first thing on the first day of the event. First TF session was around 1pm and the second around 4:30pm.

The bottom line here is if you are not going to take the policy seriously you risk being a victim of it. Blame lies sqaurely on the shoulders of Mr. Strasburg here ... nobody else. Just like tax day ... if you wait until the 15th to file you run the risk of being late if something unfortunate happens. Is that the IRS's fault?

EXACTLY!!! In my job at a major airline, when I am notified that I am scheduled for a drug and alcohol test, I have only 30 minutes to show up for the test at our onsite medical facility. No exceptions. I know the rules and I abide by them. If there is a possibility of suspension, and loss of racing career, then it should have been important enough to get there in time. I hate that Mr. Strasburg may no longer race because of this, but he knew the rules and had plenty of time to produce a sample.

 

[Treeshaker]

Mike and his family are good people that produce an excellent product and give great service.

NHRA has a drug testing policy and hired a third party to administer the program. The selection, rules, standards and penalties are the same for all drivers. To whom and when should they make exceptions? Do the exceptions become the new standards? Is it fair to everyone else if an exception is made or a rule is bent?

I look at this incident and wonder why it played out differently than all his tests before? Only thing I come up with is that a greater power is telling Mike that he is trying to do too much and needs to slow down and take stock of his priorities in life. There are reasons he chose the options he did and something kept him from filling two vials. A year away from the track is not the end of the world and will pass quickly. After a while, Mike may look at this incident as one of the best things that ever happened to him, or maybe not. Only time will tell.

Please consider this as just an opinion that is not being derogatory to or forced upon anyone.

 

[JB3]

This is my first post in years. I got sick of the keyboard crew-chief mentality laying down the law without a clue here. This thread is yet another great example of why I left.

Anyone who doesn't know Mike Strasburg has missed something very special. Anyone who thinks Mike would skirt any such test doesn't know Mike at all and many of you should be ashamed for your comments.

Here's another example of the NHRA and their double standards. Positive test at an event gets a major Pro Stock driver only that event suspended while single vile (which should have been split by the NHRA) gets a year? Makes you wonder what the NHRA's President Tom Compton got for driving under the influence in the middle of the night in Compton in 2003 got for his penalty? Oh, that's right. He gave himself another raise.

Now, back to keyboard crew-chief lynching of a wonderful man and valued asset to our sport.

I don't think 1 person here questioned Mike's ethics, his value to the sport, accused him of purposely missing the test, or accused him of drinking or drug taking. You might want to read through the thread again. Simply stated ... I, and others here, believe Mr. Strasburg used poor judgment in waiting too long to comply with policy on the day he was notified. As many have stated 24 hours is generous compared to the normal world which is full of spotaneaous drug testing. Is Mike busy ... yup. Nobody questions that. Aren't others, especially sportsman, who get picked for the same testing busy?

Take the policy seriously or be prepared to deal with the fallout. STOP making this about NHRA or Mike as a human being. These tests have no integrity if they take your character into account. It is blind testing. Give a sample. The results are what they are. You have an appeal process available to you. In this case, Mike made a conscious decision to wait on completing his test. Whether he was busy working on his (or someone else's) car or whatever is completely irrelevant. He had an obligation to comply. BTW, if you remember, Alan Johnson failed a breathalizer test, not the Urine test. Different test ... different guidelines for discipline. This isn't some hair brained scheme. Policies vary from employer to employer and contractor to contractor.

On the contrary Bobby ... some here (like yourself) will want to return to lynching the NHRA instead as there always has to be someone else to blame.

 

[tfscj]

I say test the first vile and if there is a problem give him the suspension. If it comes back clean move on to the next man. We test randomly and are only required to fill one. They should at least give him the benifit of the dought.

 

[ch3no282]

Jeebus.
NHRA is really out to punish this hard-working guy.
Wow.
Unfrickinbelievable. Re-god-damn-diculous.

That is the truth right there!!!!!

 

[Gary H]

So, why not give them from an hour after quailfying ends on Friday to an hour after on Sat? And have the place open. That would let the driver concentrate on getting the car ready and the other things that need to get done.