Allen Johnson DQ'd?

[Jared Jordan]

Originally Posted by BobOrme

I strongly disagree. There are non-alcoholic things that can be consumed or used that will provide false positive readings with a Breathalyzer when talking about a level as low as what AJ blew.

Alcohol in your mouth, that is not in your bloodstream, can result in the machines showing that there is alcohol in the test subject's system when there may not be. This is known as mouth alcohol. The forensic alcohol analysts that I've worked with seem to agree that within 5-6 minutes of ingesting an alcoholic substance the mouth alcohol is gone and any breath alcohol level will correspond to a blood alcohol level.

So yes, the machines CAN be fooled. However, proper testing procedure involves a minimum 15 minute observation period prior to the first blow to make sure that the test subject has not eaten or drank anything, burped, regurgitated, or vomited. The observation/waiting period serves to eliminate any tainted results.

If the proper testing procedures are followed, the machines are accurate. No doubt in my mind.

[BobOrme]

Originally Posted by Jared Jordan

Alcohol in your mouth, that is not in your bloodstream, can result in the machines showing that there is alcohol in the test subject's system when there may not be. This is known as mouth alcohol. The forensic alcohol analysts that I've worked with seem to agree that within 5-6 minutes of ingesting an alcoholic substance the mouth alcohol is gone and any breath alcohol level will correspond to a blood alcohol level.

So yes, the machines CAN be fooled. However, proper testing procedure involves a minimum 15 minute observation period prior to the first blow to make sure that the test subject has not eaten or drank anything, burped, regurgitated, or vomited. The observation/waiting period serves to eliminate any tainted results.

If the proper testing procedures are followed, the machines are accurate. No doubt in my mind.

Not trying to be disrespectful, but how does a tester know if a testee has burped in the last 15 minutes? And, is each randomly chosen driver for these tests observed for 15 minutes prior to testing to make sure they didn't burp?

If you have access to what ever type of Breathalyzer is being used (hand held or tabletop) to test drivers, please access one. Suck on a Certs and then test yourself. I think you might be surprised.

[Ed Fernandez]

Here's another thread with if's ands and maybes.If you are legit and have any doubts about something tilting the anylizer then speak up and question the tester BEFORE you test.I'm sure they will work with you.
Boy common sense has gone out the window in the new world.
Just apply it,and some intergrty to most of the topics on here,and most everyday situations,and maybe the world would be a better place.

[CycloneFE]

"I wonder if they ever tested Compton in the morning?????"

Why test Tom, he doesn't have a 200mph car on the track, and I don't give a rats about his social life, that will catch up to him anyway.

Point is, DON'T DRINK AND RACE.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by CycloneFE

"I wonder if they ever tested Compton in the morning?????"

Why test Tom, he doesn't have a 200mph car on the track, and I don't give a rats about his social life, that will catch up to him anyway.

Point is, DON'T DRINK AND RACE.

Ever seen what damage an intoxicated person can do when in charge of a business?

[Tom Goldman]

After the hours long wait that racers undergoing the drug tests had to endure, I understand why Allen went right away,probably more concerned with getting it over with early , and possibly not having a senerio like Matt Guidera had last year. ....Thursdays waits for testing were up to 3 or more hours, only one technician to test what seemed like about half the racers there !......More than a few racers missed runs on Thursday due to the long wait !!.............I got my invitation Friday ,5 min. before 1st round!....I went right after the run ,and still waited well over an hour and a half.......I left Roy Johnson go ahead of me ,so he could make it back in time for the first qualifying session of Pro Stock !.........They seemed to be testing every one , Random my A**, Roy Hill was there too , which at least provided for a little entertaining conversation about the previous days events!.............Tom

[Bruce Noland]

The most important point from this episode is that Johnson has a drinking problem. There is no other explanation for him to take such an unprofessional risk.

The rule does include race officials. I'm not sure Tom is considered an official. Maybe the testers could go up in the tower and ask old good times Tommy blow into one of their little machines.

[sc371f]

Originally Posted by Bruce Noland

The most important point from this episode is that Johnson has a drinking problem. There is no other explanation for him to take such an unprofessional risk.

The rule does include race officials. I'm not sure Tom is considered an official. Maybe the testers could go up in the tower and ask old good times Tommy blow into one of their little machines.

You know that he has a drinking problem? I really don't see how that can be a fair statement.

[Julie Jordan]

Originally Posted by Bruce Noland

The rule does include race officials. I'm not sure Tom is considered an official. Maybe the testers could go up in the tower and ask old good times Tommy blow into one of their little machines.

I disagree with this statement. I was pulled for a random testing at Pomona a few years back (they gave me the notice in the staging lanes before one of our qualifying runs). When I reported for duty, there was a NHRA official having to do the same thing. I was told by the medical personnel that their testing pool involved all racers and employees.

[FINESPLINE]

[QUOTE=Tom Goldman;211604]After the hours long wait that racers undergoing the drug tests had to endure, I understand why Allen went right away,probably more concerned with getting it over with early , and possibly not having a senerio like Matt Guidera had last year. ....Thursdays waits for testing were up to 3 or more hours, only one technician to test what seemed like about half the racers there !......More than a few racers missed runs on Thursday due to the long wait !!.............I got my invitation Friday ,5 min. before 1st round!....I went right after the run ,and still waited well over an hour and a half.......I left Roy Johnson go ahead of me ,so he could make it back in time for the first qualifying session of Pro Stock !.........They seemed to be testing every one , Random my A**, Roy Hill was there too , which at least provided for a little entertaining conversation about the previous days events!.............Tom[/QUOTE You have to be kidding me that at the biggest meet of the year, they (NHRA) have ONE person administering these tests knowing (maybe) that the whole test takes 15 minutes. The way I figure if the the guy is a damn robot he can test 3 people per hour @ 20 minutes per person. Boy , NHRA sure is giving its members its moneys worth.------- OR NOT ! Don't misunderstand me as I am totally against alcohol and driving but again it seems that the NHRA chooses to go the cheap way out . ------Just my thoughts !