Townley cited for underage possession of alcohol

UPDATE NASCAR Nationwide Series driver John Wes Townley started the 2010 season feeling like his racing career had received the boost he had dreamed of. Famed championship team owner Richard Childress signed the young driver to lead his Nationwide Series efforts for this season. His long time sponsor, Zaxby's, signed on with the program. It was a golden opportunity for a talented young driver to prove he was worthy of sitting inside of a Childress car.

Unfortunately, Townley found himself being the subject of a very embarrassing story line this past Thursday night in Las Vegas. The 20 year old driver received a citation for underage possession of alcohol and in the process learned a very hard lesson about the down side of dealing with public relations.

By Saturday afternoon the appropriate apology was issued by the young driver. In that statement Townley said "I made a big mistake and I feel terrible about it. I have learned a valuable lesson and will do everything I can to make it up to those I have let down."

Anyone of us who has ever received a citation for a misdemeanor offense is aware that your signature on the bottom of the ticket is a promise to appear and resolve the issue. In this case it's likely that Townley will be levied a fine, short term probation and possibly a small amount of community service hours.

That's going to be a walk in the park compared to the team meeting that will follow at Richard Childress Racing. Childress has already said that the issue will be handled internally and further stated "drivers are human and make mistakes like everyone else. However, we do not condone his behavior."

"The Bible" tells us "let he without sin cast the first stone." That's a spiritual way of saying "been there, done that." Many of us old schoolers had those learning experiences when we were Townley's age. Seriously, let's see a show of hands: how many of you scored booze before your 21st birthday?

Sorry race fans, this survey has been deemed inconclusive. There's no way one person can count that many raised hands.

02/28/10 #21 Nationwide Series driver John Wes Townley has been cited for underage possession of alcohol. Townley, who is 20, was cited Thursday. He apologized to NASCAR and his Richard Childress Racing team in a statement issued late in Saturday's race by his race team. "I made a big mistake and feel terrible about it," he said. "I have learned a valuable lesson and will do everything I can to make it up to those I have let down." Car owner Richard Childress said Townley made an error in judgment that will be handled internally at RCR. "Drivers are human and make mistakes like everyone else. However, we do not condone his behavior," Childress said. Townley finished 15th in Saturday's race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. ESPN/Associated Press