Re: Fike certainly establishing name for himself.
 

If that's how you read the article, then it must not be the same one that is linked to this thread.
Though not specifically stated in the comments chosen by the writer to include in his story (or that editors may have deleted), Fike does indicate remorse for endangering fellow drivers with his comments that the NASCAR drug policy of "reasonable suspicion" did not prevent him from racing. Had the policy prevented his racing, he would not have put other driver's lives in danger.
And, is it arrogant to say that his ability to race while on a significant dangerous drug proves that "reasonable suspicion" doesn't work, or merely a statement of fact?
Jim Morrison

Re: Fike certainly establishing name for himself.
 

Originally Posted by Anderson36:
here's my take on this article,

There seems to be no remorse on his part for using these drugs and putting all the other driver's lives in danger. There does however seem to be a bit of arrogance suggesting that he has proven how NASCAR's "reasonable suspicion" drug policy doesn't work. To me that is cowardly.

Only time will tell how much remorse he has.

I read through it twice and honestly it seems as though you can read either way; without remorse or honestly remorseful. I believe him to be remorseful but an interview with his voice might convince everyone. The written word is everlasting but hard to hear the voice inflections of an interview.

Perhaps www.racefanradio.com or www.talk2drivers.com could do an interview on the subject of the text interview and clear this up for all of us and this young mans future- which appears he has a 2nd chance on.

I wish the Fikes the best and hope his mistakes can help other young ones to not make the same mistakes.

Re: Fike certainly establishing name for himself.
 

Mr. Morrison,

with all do respect, his statement of being able to race while on this significant illegal drug and get away with it seems to be awefully arrogant.

It seems to me that his statements are more along the lines of "Yes, I was on an illegal drug while participating and I got away with it. Maybe NASCAR should review their policies and procedures so next time they could prevent it from happening"

This would be my interpretation of the past articles that have been published.

Re: Fike certainly establishing name for himself.
 

Originally Posted by racefan20:
Do your homework on Tim Richmond guys. He was suspended for not turning over his medical records to hide the fact he had AIDS. The "drug" suspension was for over the counter meds.
From wiki:
In 1988, Richmond again tried to make another run in NASCAR (by securing a ride with Ken Ragan's Ford for the Busch Clash), but NASCAR was concerned not only about Richmond's health, but also about how he contracted AIDS in the first place. They subjected Richmond (and Richmond alone) to a drug test and several days later, NASCAR announced that Richmond was suspended indefinitely for testing positive for banned substances. Richmond was livid saying that he had not taken any banned substances and demanded another test, which he passed. NASCAR later admitted that the only substances found in the first test were the over-the-counter medications Sudafed and Advil. They also released the permanent ban, but refused to allow Richmond to drive again until he surrendered his medical records that said he had AIDS.

As a big fan of Tim Richmond (back when I actually cared about NASCAR in the 80's, when it was still real racing), I appreciate you clearing the air for the uninformed. If you hadn't, I would have.

On the topic at hand, I admire Aaron Fike for coming out and speaking about this. The fact that he admits to taking heroin on race days is horrific and scary, but clearly he is trying to atone for his mistakes. He knowingly made himself look worse than he already had been viewed in the eyes of "John Q. Public" because he admits to what we all just feared MIGHT be the case; that he was actually on drugs while racing. But, he came clean in order to try to effect change. Clearly this is his path to redemption, and I believe it to be completely genuine. I think Aaron is honestly through with drugs based on his decision to throw himself onto the sword and shine a light on the subject at hand. It seems to me that he merely wants to make certain this never happens again to anyone in the sport of auto racing. It's simply too dangerous to allow for the chance that someone is "slipping through the cracks", and racing under the influence on raceday, in any series. I commend him for that...

Sincerely,

Dean Mills

Re: Fike certainly establishing name for himself.
 

Dean I was a big fan too. In fact the story of the day I got to meet him is one I will never forget. He was one of a kind. Its a crime that his name has been forever besmirched by NASCAR

Re: Fike certainly establishing name for himself.
 

Originally Posted by racefan20:
Its a crime that his name has been forever besmirched by NASCAR

To the memory of Tim Richmond:

I feel your pain.

signed, Bill Simpson

Re: Fike certainly establishing name for himself.
 

I think Tim Richmond was a one of a kind. I never met him, but he had that type of personality that people liked. He was also a fun driver to watch race.

That said, by most accounts,Tim was very reckless in many ways and while he was never known to use drugs on a race morning, he did use. Tim chose to live his life that way and unfortunately he paid an incrediable price for those choices. If Aaron is lucky, he will not pay that same type of price.

As far as Aaron goes though, who knows? Only he knows where he is at and at the end of the day it is very hard to trust an addict of any sort with telling the truth.(Even those addicted racing itself). I don't know him at all really, so I can't really judge him. If he doesn't have the humilty to hold himself accoutable and realize his actions, there is a good chance he could slip again.

I think for people who don't use(like me) or have never been around it, you almost have this cartoonish idea of what drugs do to people(Like the movie Reefer Madness). Almost as if a junkie is some sort of Zombie like creature.Obviously it isn't always like that and it is often hard to tell if someone is using. Especially when they get to the point where they act most normal when they are high oppossed to when they are straight.

One of the problems when discussing this subject is when we get to splitting hairs. One illegal drug is alright and another isn't. When the USAC policy was put in place, the group of people who don't believe pot is wrong to do, where afraid that they or their friends would be affected by the new policy. While another group of people feel that they should test and ban users of all drugs.

So the problem becomes, what if Shane Hmiel or Fike are not caught doing anything more than pot? Should they get the same courtesy as the others and not pay a penalty or since they were offenders of other drug situations in the past, should they pay a heavy penalty?

My opinion is that if it's illegal according to the govt. then it's illegal. No gray area. Any other way then it just becomes a moral judgement or at the very least a popularity contest. Besides:If all you want to do is race and pot isn't addictive, it shouldn't be a hard CHOICE then. Right?

Does this mean I believe they shouldn't get another chance? No. If they have paid whatever penalty given to them, who am I to impose any further judgement. You break the rules, you pay the price and move on.

Re: Fike certainly establishing name for himself.
 

I tend to be a hardliner when it comes to illegal drugs. Since the legal system gave him a pass, that does not mean USAC has to pat him on the head and condone his behavior.
He should sit out a minimum of one year, especially in light of his admission to using during a NASCAR race.
His example is just another reason for young drivers to think they can experiment with drugs, and then boast that they won't suffer any real consequeces down the line.
The kids are laughing behind our backs.

Re: Fike certainly establishing name for himself.
 

Remorse is a touchy thing, and I think that people show it differently. I think that he wants to help change things, like he says he does, in his way that's his remorse; making a positive out of a negative. I hope all of his plans come to fruitition and are successful.

Re: Fike certainly establishing name for himself.
 

Originally Posted by Beer Goggles:
I tend to be a hardliner when it comes to illegal drugs. Since the legal system gave him a pass, that does not mean USAC has to pat him on the head and condone his behavior.
He should sit out a minimum of one year, especially in light of his admission to using during a NASCAR race.
His example is just another reason for young drivers to think they can experiment with drugs, and then boast that they won't suffer any real consequeces down the line.
The kids are laughing behind our backs.

Says the man calling himself "Beer Goggles"...:rolleyes: