The policy mandates testing of all competitors prior to the start of next years schedule. In addition, NASCAR will also be testing their officials. Even licensed team members are required to be tested. Team owners are responsible for their individual team member's preseason testing.

NASCAR Vice President of Racing Operations, Steve O'Donnell is leading the charge on the new policy. "What we've done, is we feel like we've taken a good policy and made it better," said O'Donnell.

The policy not only stipulates how a baseline of testing will begin in the preseason. But that NASCAR may perform random tests at tracks giving suspicion. Individuals that may undergo testing include all drivers, over-the-wall pit crew members and officials. The new program is being designed so that the testing body, which is independent of NASCAR will be represented at every event.

In retrospect, this new policy comes on the heels of Ron Hornaday's recent incident. The baseline is more definitive than simply filling out a form that lists medications and allergies.

"NASCAR has one of the strictest penalties when it comes to substance abuse, and that's not going to change," O'Donnell added. "It is true that a driver, or anyone tested for that matter, who tests positive just one time could receive a lifetime ban, but I think we're pretty on the record with three times is an automatic lifetime ban from the sport."

Testing procedures remain anonymous unless a positive result is found. O'Donnell explained "The way our policy works today and will continue is that when a sample is taken, there's an A and a B sample. Before we go public with the media, we will verify that not only the A but the B sample is positive. Once we're assured by our medical review officer this is indeed a positive test, we will make that public."

While NASCAR believes a list of substances is restrictive, O'Donnell confirms there are new drugs out everyday. "We think we have the broadest policy in all of sports. By having a broad policy that doesn't list anything, we feel like we can test for any substance that may be abused, no different then our policy today."

Not only are illegal drugs an issue, the focus is on any drug that may be abused and threaten safety at the track,. "It states right not in our policy that cough medicine could be abused if you're taking that too much and it's going to affect safety on the racetrack," O'Donnell added. "That won't change, we'll test for anything. Our experts are familiar with prescriptions people may be taking and legitimate medications."

Prescribed medications are also of interest. There are two unique issues. In some cases if a drug is prescribed, a driver must inform NASCAR. If the examiners believe it does not affect safety, it will be permitted. But caution must be given to the length of time the medication is taken. Case in point: Individuals that use pain pills, often form an addiction. These type of situations will be monitored by the examiners.