In the wake of all of the discussions of substance abuse and steroids in sports today, NASCAR’s new drug policy claimed it’s first victim. Paul Chodora of Mayfield Motorsports has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR. You can see the entire story here on NASCAR.com. This is a shame to see happen, but I applaud NASCAR’s very strict stance on substance abuse. 

Jim Hunter from NASCAR announced the new drug policy back in September while at Dover International Speedway, citing it’s stringent penalties. Unlike the other major sports, NASCAR’s policies punish the first-time offender far more. Major League Baseball having had so many headlines lately regarding “roids”, shows how slack their policy is. The NFL seems to have a little stiffer policy, but each of these leagues offer multiple offenses before suspensions actually take place.

NASCAR’s position, use drugs, go home. Simple and to the point. If there is one thing that I think NASCAR has done right by being autonomous with their rules and policies is their drug policy. You have a couple of these types of suspensions for first-time offenders and that will virtually eliminate substance abuse from this sport. This is more fuel to get rid of player’s unions having so much authority almost to the determinate of the sport. Another reason I am glad that the drivers have not formed a driver’s union. You can see an earlier post from last year regarding those discussions here “Hoffa Ready to Make Mark on NASCAR?”.

I hope that this action ends this discussion. NASCAR has prided itself as being a “Family-Friendly” sport and it desperately needs to preserve that image even more in today’s world. With major athletes who have been perceived as role-models falling by the way-side, let’s make sure we can still point our kids to look up to these drivers and crew members.