On the Loose Side
A NASCAR BLOG BY Kenny Bruce
NASCAR out of bounds with probation of AJ Allmendinger
I found it odd that NASCAR decided to place Richard Petty Motorsports driver AJ Allmendinger on probation following his Oct. 29 arrest for driving while impaired.
Odd and just a little scary.
Was Allmendinger driving a NASCAR-approved race car when the incident occurred?
Were Sprint Cup Series points at stake?
Did he jump out of his car and boast, “My car owner owns this city!”
Of course not.
Allmendinger was headed home, no doubt like a lot of other “private” citizens. Yet NASCAR chose to penalize him for something over which they should have absolutely no control.
What’s next? Will officials barge into drivers’ houses, cite them for bad taste in interior decorating and levy similar penalties?
It’s ridiculous.
Allmendinger made a mistake. Hopefully he learned from it. But what he does outside of the sport is his business. Not NASCAR’s. Their job begins and ends with what takes place on the race track.
If Richard Petty Motorsports deems the offense a problem, that’s between the organization and Allmendinger.
NASCAR overstepped its authority on this one, plain and simple.
Kenny Bruce
Kenny Bruce covered his first auto race in 1981 and, except for a brief four-year departure to work in drag racing, has been at it ever since. He joined NASCAR Scene in 2001.
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Comments
7 responses to "NASCAR out of bounds with probation of AJ Allmendinger". Post a Comment.
becknc88 said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 9:32 AMI agree with you. Plus it seems like a double standard when Michael Waltrip also did drove home under the influence, wrecked a guy on a motorcycle and nothing happened to him just the week before. Plus they made him guilty before the court system did. Totally not fair. They could challenge the results of that test seeing as it was right on the mark.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportriterchick said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 10:37 AMAgree with you. Why don't they impose fines/sanctions on those drivers who have babies without benefit of a wedding license? Hmm, several current drivers spring to mind. I'm sure there are Nascar morality clauses up the wazoo. Licentious behavior? Stupidity? Falling off a golf cart while drunk and breaking a wrist?
Report as AbuseNone of this lessens the seriousness of AJ's drinking and driving. Let the legal system handle it, as it is doing right now. That's why there are drunk driving laws. Nascar doesn't own the North Carolina Code.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmrclause said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 11:53 AMHow about waiting until the guy is convicted? Like in the Wimmer deal a few years ago?
Report as AbuseWhy don't they simply change the rule about a valid drivers license being required to compete? Then there's no gray area. You lose your license and you're out! But hey, that would be simple and eliminate favoritism and this is NASCAR! Sorry!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportpapaof4ncrc said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 8:45 PMThe rule is there is no rule in nascar.Did they even discuss Waltrips incident,if they did I missed it.In certain states if you were at the limit or not your convicted if alcohol was involved.And like some earlier what did France family members recieve from nascar,what the heck they represent the sport.AJ another in the line of nascar deciding when,where,and to whom they decide to judge.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSTP43FAN said:
Oct 31, 2009 at 12:29 PMNo it isn't ridiculous. Allmendinger didn't "make a mistake" - he committed an act he has no right to commit. Under NO circumstances do you drive after you've had alcohol. "Will NASCAR barge into drivers' houses?" No, but they SHOULD barge in and force team owners to open their books.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportarhiatt said:
Nov 1, 2009 at 2:36 AMIn NC, if you blow .08 or more on a Breathalyzer, you are charged with drunken driving. And it's not something to be taken lightly. And Richard Petty, who doesn't even want sponsors that sell alcohol, hasn't complained about NASCAR's action, at least I haven't heard him speak against it. If the King has no issue with it, neither do I. I don't excuse drunken driving for anyone. That includes my favorite drivers.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportOSUSam said:
Nov 5, 2009 at 1:21 PMI totally agree with you Kenny. If NASCAR had this same "We are God" attitude with Tim Richmond, Tim would have been on double secret probation for the rest of his career. I find it ironic about NASCAR's stance on this, given the alcohol and drug incidents with Brian France, J.C. France and whoever the other France realated nimrod was that said "We own this city". Give me a break. Big Bill France must be rolling over in his grave.
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