World of Outlaws Joins Forces With National Center for Drug Free Sport
Story By: BRENDAN CAPERIA / WOO SERIES MEDIA
Photos By: RACERSGUIDE.COM PHOTO STAFF
CONCORD, N.C. — December 8, 2016-The World of Outlaws announced Thursday at the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show an exclusive partnership with The National Center for Drug Free Sport (Drug Free Sport), launching a drug-testing program to improve the safety of competitors in compliance with a revised World of Outlaws Substance Abuse Policy.
“Every major sport across the country has adopted drug-testing policies. As the leader in dirt track racing we felt it was time to join that group,” said World of Outlaws President Tom Deery. “Partnering with Drug Free Sport as a third-party administrator provides our participants a thorough and fair testing platform.”
Beginning with the 2017 racing season, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and Late Model Series will require drivers to participate in random testing for substances of abuse that could impede driving ability.
“We’ve had a drug policy in place for quite a while now that allows us to test based on suspicion,” said Deery. “But we’ve never done random testing. It’s time to add another dimension to create a stronger deterrent.”
Drug Free Sport is a worldwide leader in the sport drug-testing industry, currently conducting drug testing management and/or education services for the NFL, MLB, NCAA, NBA, WNBA, NBA D-League, PGA Tour, LPGA, USGA, CrossFit Games, the Big Ten Conference, and more than 300 colleges, universities and amateur athletics organizations around the world.
“As a true independent third-party administrator, Drug Free Sport provides consistency to the process, an added layer of confidence, confidentiality, and skill, leveraging our technical expertise in industry approved testing procedures and certified specimen collection,” said Chris Guinty, Drug Free Sport COO. “Our collectors and staff establish the tone within the industry of ensuring fair and safe sport for athletes, teams and fans.”
Random drug testing will begin at the onset of the 2017 season. Testing will apply to drivers only and will be conducted at a number of events throughout the season. Notification will not be given prior to any event. Drivers found in violation will be subject to suspension.
“We’re not looking for performance-enhancing drugs, as in other sports,” said World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter. “Regardless of your view on recreational drug use, we can all agree they have no place on the race track. We’re trying to keep our drivers safe.”
“The World of Outlaws run in close quarters at high speeds, and we will not allow anything that puts participants and fans at risk,” added Carter.
Frequently asked questions and answers pertaining to the new testing process follow on the next page…
Q. Who is conducting the World of Outlaws drug testing?
A. All drug testing will be independent of World of Outlaws officials. The National Center for Drug Free Sport, Inc. (Drug Free Sport) will administer and manage the testing. As a true independent third-party administrator, Drug Free Sport ensures the drug-testing program separates collection and testing from the laboratory, providing World of Outlaws and drivers the highest level of impartiality and confidentiality within all phases of the program, and eliminating any real or perceived conflict of interest.
Q. What kind of test is administered?
A. Drivers are drug tested through urinalysis.
Q. How long does it take?
A. The length of the process depends on the driver’s ability to provide an adequate specimen. If a driver provides an adequate specimen immediately upon arriving at the testing area, the entire process usually is completed in less than 15 minutes.
Q. What drugs are we testing for?
A. The purpose of the testing is to keep drivers, teams and fans safe. Hence testing will be for substances of abuse that impair ability, not performance-enhancing drugs. Examples may include, but are not limited to: Amphetamine/Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Marijuana, Opiates, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Ecstasy (MDMA), Oxycodone (incl. OxyContin.
Note: Drivers who have had a previous positive result, or had previous multiple diluted samples, may be subject to follow-up tests with increased frequency.
Q. When is drug testing conducted?
A. Drug testing can occur at any World of Outlaws event following January 1, 2017.
Participating drivers will not be given any advance notice that drug testing is being conducted at the event. Drug testing may occur throughout the course of the event.
Q. How will drivers be selected for drug testing?
A. Drivers will be chosen through a random selection process on the day of the event. The process will treat full-time World of Outlaws drivers the same as local and regional drivers participating in the event.
Q. When do the World of Outlaws get results?
A. Drug Free Sport will send results via a proprietary secure software system (SCAN3) to the World of Outlaws series director.
If a driver tests positive, Drug Free Sport will call the World of Outlaws series director.
Q. What happens if a driver tests positive?
A. Drug Free Sport will provide the World of Outlaws with the name of the driver who tested positive and the substance found in his/her urine sample. A medical doctor will review any positive result with the driver. The driver has the option of requesting testing of the B sample.
If the B sample is positive, Drug Free Sport will notify the World of Outlaws and the driver will be declared ineligible. If the driver tested positive for a substance for which a medical exception is warranted, World of Outlaws officials may request a medical exception. Drug Free Sport will assist with the medical exception process.
Q. What is the penalty for a positive drug test?
A. The penalty for a positive test for a substance of abuse is strict and automatic. A positive test will result in suspension as follows:
FIRST OFFENSE: Drivers will be withheld from competition for 90 days from the date of the test and fined $1,000. This suspension term may be reduced to 120 days with the completion of a drug-education program. Reinstatement will be conditional on two negative tests over the final 14-day period of the suspension and payment of the fine.
Note: a positive result on a re-test will count as a second offense.
SECOND OFFENSE: Drivers will be withheld from competition for 180 days from the date of the test and fined $2,500. This suspension term may be reduced to 120 days with the completion of an enhanced drug-education program. Reinstatement will be conditional on two negative tests over the final 14-day period of the suspension and payment of the fine.
THIRD OFFENSE: Drivers will be withheld from competition for 365 days from the date of the test and fined $5,000. Reinstatement will be conditional on three negative tests over the final 30-day period of the suspension and payment of the fine.
Note: A driver who is involved in a case of clearly observed tampering or does not comply with collector instruction within a drug test will be penalized as if there were a positive drug test result. If a driver who is selected for drug testing does not show up for testing or refuses to provide a sample, he or she will be penalized as if there were a positive drug test result.
Q. Can drivers appeal a positive test?
A. DIRTcar Members in good standing may appeal as outlined in Section 12 of the Competition Rulebooks. An appeal will follow the Drug Free Sport protocol regarding the B sample and medical exception to process. Drivers will be withheld from competition during the course of the appeal.
Q. How can a driver find out whether a medication or supplement is banned?
A. The World of Outlaws will communicate a list of banned drug classes prior to the start of the race season. In advance of any event, drivers should consult with their physicians about any medication they use.
Q. Why Now?
A. The World of Outlaws has had a Substance Abuse Policy for over ten years. There has not been a random testing element to the program. We are continuously evaluating driver safety measures and drug testing has been part of that conversation for a number of years.
Q. Was there something that happened or do you have suspicions?
A. We are not aware of any World of Outlaws driver competing while under the influence, but with research showing that 10.1% of Americans used an illicit drug in the past 30 days, we cannot simply put our heads in the sand and assume that our sport is immune to recreational drug use. (Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality)
Q. Why just Drivers?
A. Drivers are the focus of our sport and hold in their hands a great responsibility that extends beyond their personal well-being when they enter the race track at one of our events.
Q. Are you testing for alcohol?
A. Our random drug-testing initiative is not designed to address driving under the influence. However, our current policy already provides us with the option of using local law enforcement and medical professionals for determination of suspected alcohol impairment. Our officials will use the protocols already in place for suspected alcohol use.
