NASCAR officials are discussing the possibility of banning the controversial herbal stimulant ephedra in the wake of major league baseball player Steve Bechler's death. According to NASCAR sources, up to 80 percent of crewmembers and a handful of drivers have used ephedra at some point to fight fatigue and fat during the 38-week season. A spokesperson for NASCAR said the sport has yet to make a decision on ephedra but admitted a ban was "something we're looking at."

Broward County, Florida medical examiner Dr. Joshua Perper confirmed last week that the herbal stimulant ephedra played a "significant role" in the death of Bechler, a pitcher with the Baltimore Orioles. Major league baseball recently banned players with minor league contracts from using ephedra. The National Football League, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the International Olympic Committee already ban the substance.