When the NHRA announced they had suspended Matt Guidera for one year for failing to comply with they Substance Abuse Policy, they could have been a bit more forthcoming.

According to Guidera, he tried to comply. He just failed in his effort.

“Well, I’m disappointed that I didn’t go up there and perform the test on time,” Guidera said Saturday night. “I wish it was different, but I understand that the NHRA has rules and they have to stick to them, and I certainly wish I was racing here on Monday and qualifying Sunday, but they’ve told me that I can’t.”

According to Guidera, he was issued the paperwork from the NHRA to take a drug test at 4 p.m. Friday. Guidera then had 24 hours to go take a drug test.

“I went up there in enough time, and I wasn’t able to perform a specimen for them,” Guidera said. “I did do a urine sample, but it wasn’t enough. I didn’t pee enough. I wish I would have because I wouldn’t be in this predicament. He (the drug testing official) said that I didn’t pee enough, you have to do another sample and said ‘ok.’ I sat there and I drank water and I drank water until I couldn’t drink anymore water and I couldn’t go to the bathroom yet. He (a drug testing official) said you have to try and I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t pee, and I told him that I couldn’t pee and he said come on out here, go talk to these people and I talked to the NHRA and they said ‘your suspended.’ That’s you’re suspended. They didn’t give me anymore time. I was over the 24 hours, and they were unwilling to allow me anymore time. At that point, I was getting closer to going to the bathroom and I walked out and then walked back in and I was ready to go to the bathroom, and they said ‘no you can’t go, you’re done.”

Guidera, who is seventh in the points chase, already is planning his next move.

“I’ll appeal it (the suspension), as soon as I get the paperwork in the mail,” Guidera said. “I have an option to appeal it and it states that in the (NHRA) rulebook. I definitely will appeal it because I felt that I was there in an adequate amount of time to perform a sample and I tried to, due to a technicality, they didn’t take it. I wouldn’t appeal this if I wasn’t optimistic, that why you appeal. I’m going to do that and hopefully they (NHRA) will see to it to allow me a chance to redeem myself. I’m not doing any substances that are banned. I have nothing to hide, I just got timed out is what happened. I understand that NHRA has rules, and they stick to them and they’re very serious about their rules because this is a very serious sport out here and I want to be a part of it. This is where I want to be. I want to be racing with the best in the world. I have a little minor setback. Life could be worse. I’m not happy about it, but I will deal with it.”

Vick Guidera, Matt’s father and team owner of his Pro Stock Motorcycle, was stunned about what transpired with his son.

“He presented himself within the 24 hours and I don’t know what the hell they’re doing,” the elder Guidera said. “I haven’t got a clue. It was shocking. To me, common sense would have said, ‘hey pee’ when you get your sample ready we will test you. He appeared within 24 hours and presented himself for a pee test. I went and asked those guys (the drug-testing officials) what was going on and they told me that he (Matt) was in the bathroom trying to give his sample and his time was up.”
 

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