NASCAR notebook
NASCAR adds random testing to toughen up drug policy
DOVER, Del. — NASCAR has toughened its drug policy and will do random tests in 2009 on everyone in the three national series — from star Chase drivers to anonymous tire changers.
All drivers, over-the-wall crew members and officials will be tested before the start of next season, and will also be subject to random tests throughout the year.
The amended policy for the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Trucks series kicks in at preseason testing at Daytona International Speedway.
"This is more of a reaction to the modern responsibilities that we also have, not just in NASCAR, but the whole community of sports," NASCAR president Mike Helton said on Saturday. "I think the industry feels like that's the right thing to do."
NASCAR did not reveal a list of banned substances and it reserved the right to test for any substance — anything from steroids to prescription medicines — if there was suspicion of abuse. Under NASCAR's current policy, testing is only done when there is a "reasonable suspicion" someone is using banned substances.
Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR's vice president of racing operations, noted that other professional leagues have changed their drug policies to adapt to perceived problems.
"We know there's new drugs out there every day," O'Donnell said. "By having a broad policy that doesn't list anything, we feel like we can test for any substance that may be abused."
O'Donnell said NASCAR will go public with anyone who flunks an original 'A' sample and backup 'B' sample test. While NASCAR reserved the right issue a lifetime ban after one positive result, O'Donnell said the sport would likely continue with a "three strikes-and-out" policy.
• BUSCH GETS 8th NATIONWIDE WIN: Kyle Busch made it eight victories this season in the Nationwide Series, leading 157 laps and absolutely dominating to win Saturday in a green-white-checkered flag finish at Dover International Speedway.
"It was a pretty flawless day for us," Busch said. "We made it look easy."
Busch won in the same No. 18 Toyota that his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin drove to Victory Lane in May. Starting from the pole, Busch was never really challenged and pulled ahead by a couple of car lengths on the final restart late in an overtime race that stretched to 207 laps.
Mike Bliss was second and Brad Keselowski was third.
• DEFECTOR: Steve Hallam is leaving McLaren Racing in Formula One and making the move to NASCAR where he will join Michael Waltrip Racing as director of race engineering for the second-year Toyota team.
Hallam will quit his job as head of race operations for McLaren at the end of the F1 season and join Waltrip's team this winter. The decorated engineer has participated in 430 Grand Prix races and won five world championships in a 27-year career in Formula One.
"Michael Waltrip Racing is giving me a wonderful opportunity to enter NASCAR, which is something I have always wanted to experience in my lifetime," Hallam said.
