The furor over when sprint car driver Kevin Ward, Jr. was killed at a New York state dirt track exposed toxicology reports finding he had marijuana led to the
World Racing Group, sanctioning body of the
World of Outlaws and
DIRTcar series, started regularly testing the
sprint car and
late model series drivers in 2017. Drivers will only be tested through
urinalysis. The random selection process will take place on the day of the event, treating full season drivers and part-time drivers equally. After a positive test, the driver receives a fine and will be banned from competition. After three failed tests (and three penalties) the driver can only return to competition after two negative tests and approval from World Racing Group.
Justin Ratliff was the first driver hit with a penalty. Ratliff refused a drug test after the
2017 DIRTcar Nationals at
Volusia Speedway Park in February. Because of the refusal Ratliff was fined in accordance of the first offense with a 90-day suspension. In June 2017,
Brian Lay tested positive after the World of Outlaws event at
Eldora Speedway. He was also fined in accordance with a first offense. In July
Jacob Hawkins failed a drug test after the
Dirt Late Model Dream event at Eldora Speedway. Dirt racing champion
Scott Bloomquist had two run ins with the doping tests in 2018. After winning the 2018 Dirt Late Model Dream Bloomquist was selected for a drug test. However the champion fell after the victory ceremony. He sustained a rotator cuff injury and was brought into hospital, evading the drug test. Later in the season Bloomquist was selected as part of 16 drivers to perform a drug test after the
World of Outlaws Late Model Series at
Lernerville Speedway. Bloomquist had five hours to deliver a urine sample, being requested by the organisation multiple times. As Bloomquist refused, he was suspended for 90 days. Another driver,
Justin Peck tested positive for a
marijuana metabolite. He was suspended for 90 days after the race at
Eldora Speedway. During the 2018 season a fourth case came forward. World of Outlaws driver
Chris Martin tested positive for a marijuana metabolite after the
Knoxville Nationals. Martin was suspended for 90 days. ==IMCA==