Aaron Fike
Template:Driver Aaron Fike (born November 24, 1982) is a NASCAR and USAC driver from Galesburg, Illinois. Prior to a drug arrest, he was the driver of the #1 Toyota Tundra Craftsman Truck Series truck.
He is the younger brother of former NASCAR driver A. J. Fike.
USAC career
Fike began racing in 2001 in the USAC Silver Crown Series, where he became the youngest driver to win a Silver Crown race (breaking Jeff Gordon's record). He finished tenth in points, earning him the Rookie of the Year award.
In 2002, he won seven midget feature races in addition to winning the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association championship. He also won a race in the [[Indy Racing League|IRL] Infiniti Pro Series.
In 2003, Fike won the World Championship Midget Feature in Auckland, New Zealand, and the USAC Night Before the 500 race.
NASCAR career
Fike made his stock car debut in an ARCA RE/MAX Series race at South Boston Speedway, where he finished 9th.
He began racing part-time in the Busch Series in 2004 in the #43 Curb Agajanian Performance Group car, and for GIC-Mixon Motorsports. His best finish that year came at the Stacker 200 Presented by YJ Stinger, where he finished 17th.
For 2005, Fike signed a driver development contract with Brewco Motorsports, and split time in their #66 Duraflame Ford Taurus with Greg Biffle. He recorded his first top-ten finish at the Salute to the Troops 250 Presented by Dodge, where he finished eighth. He also ran 17 races with the #43, his best finish in that car being a 14th at Homestead. At the end of the year, he was released from his contract at Brewco.
He started 2006 driving the #43 for Curb, but soon signed with Kevin Harvick Incorporated for a limited schedule. He was released after two races.
Fike drove for Red Horse Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2007, where he had four top-ten finishes. He was arrested in the parking lot of Kings Island in July 2007, and subsequently suspended by NASCAR and released from his contract.<ref>
Substance Abuse Arrest
NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy allows NASCAR to administer drug tests virtually anytime, anywhere, based on "reasonable suspicion." Prior to Fike's arrest in 2007, he never tested positive for any banned substances.
On July 7, 2007, Fike and his long-time girlfriend and fiancee, Red Horse crew member Cassandra "Casi" Davidson, were arrested in the parking lot of Kings Island.<ref>NASCAR Driver Arrested At Kings Island - Cincinnati breaking news, weather radar, traffic from 9News | Channel 9 WCPO.com</ref>
According to press accounts, park security officers became suspicious when they saw Fike's truck had a towel draped over the front seat headrests, hiding the back seat of the truck. When officers asked Fike to get out, he climbed into the driver’s seat and tried to drive off, hitting an officer with the passenger side-view mirror. City of Mason police searched the truck, finding several syringes (including one with brown liquid inside), spoons with residue, alcohol swabs, phone cords, a cup with empty balloons, and a bloody napkin.
Fike admitted that the brown liquid was heroin, and Davidson stated that the heroin was used by both her and Fike. Davidson had a full syringe in her hand and was going to use heroin when the officers approached the vehicle.
Both were arrested on charges of possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia, and were arraigned a few days later.
On July 11, 2007 Fike (as well as Davidson) was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for violating Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the 2007 NASCAR Rule Book. Red Horse Racing released Fike from his contract the following day.
On August 29, the misdemeanor possession of drug abuse instruments charge was dropped by prosecutors.<ref>Register-Mail.com - Galesburg Register-Mail Online</ref>
Though he initially pleaded not guilty, in November 2007, Fike plead guilty to possession of a drug abuse instrument and a reduced charge of attempted possession of heroin, both misdemeanors. He admitted that he'd spent 4 months in treatment for the addiction, and publicly stated that the habit almost killed him at least once. He was sentenced to two years of probation after agreeing to establish a non-profit anti-drug group, Racing Against Drugs.<ref>The Enquirer - NASCAR'S Fike gets plea deal</ref>
In an April 2008 interview for ESPN, Fike admitted to years of painkiller abuse, as well as heroin use on race days.<ref name="sports.espn.go.com"> ESPN - Former truck racer Fike admits using heroin on race days</ref>
While there is precedent for drivers who struggle with substance abuse, there is no previous precedent for drivers who are arrested while using, or in possession of, an illegal substance. Fike has talked with NASCAR regarding the reinstatement process.<ref name="sports.espn.go.com"/>
He returned to racing midget cars at Angell Park Speedway and the USAC national tour after his NASCAR suspension.
References
- Career Stats
External links
- Fike's website