Generally speaking, NASCAR has simply not faced the issue of drug use like other professional sports. The most notable driver to be suspended due to a failed drug test was 13-time race winner Tim Richmond in 1988. He became a part of Hendrick Motorsports and was the path to superstar status, regularly appearing on the nascar schedule. Richmond, however, denied the drug abuse, and it was later stated that medications to suppress cold symptoms triggered the positive result. NASCAR did not want Richmond on the track at that time. He was already losing serious weight due to illness; in fact, Richmond was dying of AIDS, though NASCAR was unaware of this fact at the time. From NASCAR`s perspective, the weight loss and subsequent health problems must be the result of drugs; rumors in the Cup garage supported this assumption.

Richmond passed away in 1989 from AIDS-related complications.

In fact, in the two decades after Tim Richmond was banned from NASCAR, few drivers have been taken to task for illegal drug use. Shane Hmiel, Kevin Grubb, Tyler Walker, and Aaron Fike have faced suspensions in recent years. Hmiel and Grubb, in particular, were ultimately banned for life after they failed drug tests after they had been reinstated following earlier suspensions.

Hmiel is the son of Steve Hmiel, a long-time mechanic who has worked for companies such as Roush Racing, Dale Earnhardt Inc., and Chip Ganassi Racing in recent years|Hmiel is the son of veteran mechanic, Steve Hmiel, who has had an illustrious career working for names like Dale Earnhardt Inc, Rousch Racing, and Chip Ganassi Racing. Shane Hmiel was one of the most talented new drivers to hit the track in the last ten years, but drugs destroyed his career.

Grubb was another hot young driver back in the late 1990s. Before he was suspend for failing a test in 2003, Grubb was making a small mark in the Busch Series, which is now the Nationwide Series. While he was reinstated three years later, Grubb was banned in 2007. In May of 2009, Grubb was dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Driver Tyler Walker, a good friend to the Sprint Cup Series racer, Kasey Kahne, was suspended in 2006 for failing a drug screening. To my knowledge, he has yet to file for reinstatement.

Driver Aaron Fike`s made the list of trouble drivers when he was arrested for heroin possession at a theme park and subsequently suspended by NASCAR officials. Later, in an interview with ESPN`s `The Magazine,` Fike said that he was using heroin on race day. The interview was a wake-up call for NASCAR.

Until this latest racing season, NASCAR officials had reserved screenings for those drivers under suspicion for illicit drug abuse. Now, NASCAR randomly tests all drivers and crewmembers throughout the season using Aegis Science Corp. Labs with Dr. David Black monitoring the procedures.

Several crewmembers were recently suspended for testing positive for illegal substances.

As recently as May 9, 2009, driver Jeremy Mayfield, another big name like Tim Richmond, was place on indefinite suspension for failing his drug screening. Mayfield says the positive result is due to a combination of Claritin-D, an allergy medication, and a legally prescribed medication. Nonetheless, NASCAR officials as well as Dr. Black have publically ruled against Mayfield in the matter.

Mayfield refuses to withdraw his claim and has hired a lawyer named Bill Diehl to represent him. There appears to be a legal suit in NASCAR`s immediate future.

Although NASCAR has not revealed the supposed illicit material, and Mayfield was totally ignorant of the drug until recently. Both Mayfield and his attorney received updates earlier in this week.

This case comes down one person`s testimony against another and it will be taken care of outside of the courtroom. It has triggered plenty of attention on the sport of NASCAR, and not in a good way. The bad press hasn`t cut into the nascar schedule. The Mayfield story has cast a long shadow over any news in NASCAR that could become good points. The simple fact is that drug scandals are not as common with NASCAR drivers as they seem to be with NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLB athletes.

Of course, the random drug screening program is definitely an improvement. The real flaw in this new approach is that NASCAR hasn`t given out a list of substances it has banned to the public. NASCAR wants to be in control of what is and isn`t acceptable. With information like the banned substance list in their hands, both crewmembers and drivers would know what is acceptable and what is not.

As with other professional sports, drug use is prohibited by NASCAR.

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