NASCAR puts AJ Allmendinger on probation but allows him to race
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Richard Petty Motorsports' AJ Allmendinger won't be suspended by NASCAR after being arrested early Thursday morning on a charge of driving while impaired.
David Griffin
NASCAR Scene
Related stories: Richard Petty Motorsports' AJ Allmendinger charged with driving while impaired
AJ Allmendinger fined, placed on probation by Richard Petty Motorsports
Richard Petty Motorsports driver AJ Allmendinger, who was arrested early Thursday morning on a charge of driving while impaired by the Mooresville (N.C.) Police Department, was put on probation through the end of the year by NASCAR but will be allowed to race this weekend, the sanctioning body announced Thursday night.
Allmendinger was penalized for violating the NASCAR rule on actions detrimental to stock-car racing.
Although he could be suspended by his race team, none of the Richard Petty Motorsports statements released Thursday indicated that Allmendinger will not race this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.
Almendinger was driving a 2007 Lexus when he was stopped at 1:27 a.m. Thursday, according to the police report, and a breath test showed he had a blood alcohol content level of .08 percent, which is the minimum to be arrested for DWI in North Carolina. He was charged with one misdemeanor count of driving while impaired.
According to the North Carolina drivers manual, anyone who has a BAC of .08 or more receives an automatic 30-day license suspension. According to the NASCAR rulebook, a valid drivers license is not a prerequisite to compete in a NASCAR race.
The last active Cup driver to have a DWI conviction was Scott Wimmer in 2004, and NASCAR did not penalize him until after the legal process was completed. NASCAR put Wimmer on probation and required him to do appearances on safe driving.
Allmendinger has a Dec. 18 court date.
“I made an error in judgment last night for which I take full responsibility,” Allmendinger said in a statement. “I went out to dinner and I had a couple of drinks. I honestly felt fine but I obviously should have erred more on the side of caution, particularly given what I do for a living.
“It was a bad judgment call and I apologize for that to my fans, sponsors, team and NASCAR. If anything good can come of this then hopefully I can be an example of being more aware of drinking responsibly and if even if you feel fine, take a cab, call a friend - just don’t risk it. I will do my best to make it right and use this to learn myself and hopefully educate others.”
Team co-owner Richard Petty issued a statement expressing his disappointment, but which did not address Allmendinger’s status for this weekend’s race at Talladega Superspeedway.
“I am deeply disappointed this has happened,” it read. “AJ has accepted full responsibility for his actions and will work to make this right. On behalf of everyone at Richard Petty Motorsports, we sincerely apologize to our fans and partners.”
The 27-year-old Allmendinger is 25th in the Sprint Cup Series standings.
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20 responses to "NASCAR puts AJ Allmendinger on probation but allows him to race". Post a Comment.
corcat2 said:
Oct 29, 2009 at 5:17 PMWoooow! Probation! Step back! Nascar sure is teaching AJ a lesson. Way to send a message!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSmokeLover said:
Oct 29, 2009 at 5:20 PMCorcat2, that is hilarious! Wonder if RPM will penalize him. I'm not perfect but he's a role model and I'm just a regular citizen.
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» Confirm Abuse Reporttimmytoad1 said:
Oct 29, 2009 at 5:22 PMWheres Mikeys probation for last years drink/ drive/vehicle in ditch/ leaving scene of a crime as well as his most recent one a week ago where he drinks again/ does an illegal uturn and hits a motorcyle???????????????????
Report as AbuseNascar and their rules are a joke!!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportcarldhskm3636 said:
Oct 29, 2009 at 5:34 PMThats not true about Mikey. They were both at fault. Mikey was only going 5mph and wasnt drunk.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRVD420 said:
Oct 29, 2009 at 5:51 PMcarldhskm3636: That is this years Mikey W. incident. Last year Mikey W had a drinking while driving incident where after the incident he staggered home to his gated community with his Lexus in a ditch. Mikey W. then turned him self into the cops 9 hours after the incident. And conveniently after any trace of alcohol in his system would be metabolized. And the cops took Mikey W. at his word that he only had 2 drinks.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSmokeLover said:
Oct 29, 2009 at 5:55 PMDid Mikey get penalized for that other accident a few years ago?
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» Confirm Abuse Reporttimmytoad1 said:
Oct 29, 2009 at 5:59 PMNeither was Allmindinger #4; he was .08 thats the "legal" limit. He also didnt get involved in any accidents. I haven't got anything against Mikey but Nascar is so biased and selective on thier rules and punishment that it makes them look rediculous.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportJenna48fan said:
Oct 29, 2009 at 6:01 PM#5, Not true, For 1, Michael doesn't live in a gated community, 2, He was driving a Land Rover. 3, The police found him sleeping in his pool house. 4, He had no alcohol in his system 8 hours later.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmrclause said:
Oct 29, 2009 at 6:13 PMWait, Mikey and the guy on the bike were both at fault? How? The way the article read NASCARS shill, the great Mikey Pulled a U turn in front of the biker. The biker, according to the article, said he'd had a couple of beers. But, no blood level was given out, if the guy was even tested. So Mikey blew a .06 and pulled an improper U turn leaving the biker no place to go and Mikey isn't at fault? Yeah and there's an Easter Bunny too! Watch the difference in the media coverage between Dinger and Mikey. What's NASCAR and the media going to do when Mikey actually hurts or kills someone. The guy is a jerk and a self centered buffoon,why the special treatment. Why wasn't Brian France suspended? Bring back memories of Carl Long and the difference in fines. NASCAR is stinking up their own show more than anyone else could, ever!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportrichardclower said:
Oct 29, 2009 at 6:28 PMAJ is just a marginal talent in Nascar, the joke here is that the Fox headline read "Nascar Star Arrested for DUI", star??!! I was expecting it to be Jr, Stewart, Gordon< Johnson.....AJ is no star and RPM should put Reed in the 43 next year, I meageez he did have a contract for 2010 with RPM. What a sham
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» Confirm Abuse Reportspurriersson said:
Oct 29, 2009 at 9:01 PMAJ likely can beat this. He was at the limit yes, and lawyers can show the difference in court. Dont know the facts but did he do the breath test, did they do field tests ect. Was it on video? Im sure this will/should go to court.
Report as AbuseWhat I dont get is where was his wife?
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» Confirm Abuse Reportkahnefan said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 9:53 AMHe blew a .08, the legal limit, so he understands he made a mistake, and how can you learn from a mistake if you never make one?
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdaviclar38 said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 11:37 AMBuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrpppp! I think the legal limit should be .10, you can't even go out to a restaurant and have a couple of drinks and enjoy yourself anymore without fear of getting busted for it. There should be some kind of formula involved beside a breathalyzer to detect an impaired driver, like weight, age, and tolerance level! BurP!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdarlingtonchick said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 11:57 AMDaviclar38 - that is the funniest post I've read in a while. Excellent!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportPattichris said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 6:06 PMAs written in another article, he had to remove his sponsor shirt and move away from the hauler before being interviewed, so as not to embarrass the sponsor.
Report as AbuseIf that isn't reason to be fired.... give me a break, RPM. It's not like he is JJ or JG. What has he done to deserve this special handling?
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjerryswiatek said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 7:20 PMI agree #13, as I said before that here in Fl. The .08 also is the legal limit but up to .09 the smart cop will impound your car and get home the best way you can, Call a friend. This cop just got some undo recognition, big daddy name. Wow!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportleftturn said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 7:23 PM1 beer, 2 beers, .08, .06, big star, not a star, going fast, going slow, Team fine, NASCAR fine, liquor sponsor, beer sponsor, Allmendinger, Waltrip, Junior, Gordon, it doesn't matter. Personal responsibility is what matters.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportWerner said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 7:25 PMperhaps they should have put Mayfield and Hmiel and all the others on probation????...
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» Confirm Abuse Reportleftturn said:
Oct 30, 2009 at 7:35 PMWERNER- You are correct there! Evidently there is some tolerance. Or is that tolerance for some?
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» Confirm Abuse Reportteema said:
Nov 1, 2009 at 7:01 PMAhh...the hypocrits are posting again!...Lord save us all from all you perfect people.
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