The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) will begin drug testing drivers for performance-enhancing drugs in January under a new policy that also bans using illegal drugs and abusing prescription medications. NASCAR crew members must also submit results from an approved drug testing lab by January 16th.

Under the old drug testing policy, NASCAR had the right to randomly drug test drivers based on suspicion of abuse. With the tougher guidelines first announced in September, all NASCAR drivers and crew members will undergo drug testing before the season begins, and random drug testing will continue throughout the year. NASCAR expects to randomly drug test 12 to 14 individuals per racing series each weekend in 2009, and reserves the right to drug test drivers for any substance they wish.

The guidelines for NASCAR's drug testing were strengthened in part because of one former driver's claim that he had used heroin – even on days he raced – and another driver’s admission of using a testosterone cream to treat a medical issue. These revelations further raised the need for a strong and fair drug testing policy for the sport and led some drivers to call on NASCAR to add random drug testing to its policy, a move now overwhelmingly supported by most NASCAR drivers.

NASCAR’s drug testing policy is now more in line with those of other major sports leagues and ensures the safety of not only drivers and other personnel, but the millions of NASCAR fans cheering at the track. Safety in the workplace is an important issue for all employers, even if their employees don’t drive a race car over 200 miles per hour.

Pre-employ.com performs employment screening services – including drug testing – for a wide variety of companies and industries. For more information on drug testing, visit www.Pre-employ.com, email info@pre-employ.com, or call 1-800-300-1821.  

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