NASCAR Drunk Report – Allmendinger Charged with DWI
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| Allmendinger caught driving drunk |
"It's a part of it,'' Allmendinger said after the second practice. "I know what I've done. I respect the punishment and everything that I have to do to gain the trust back of NASCAR and everybody that is out there racing with me.
"It's not the best feeling in the world, but at the same point I respect I have to do it. I understand and I have no problem with that.''
Allmendinger has been placed on probation by NASCAR through the end of the season and, according to sources close to the situation, will be monitored closely by the governing body during that time.
Allmendinger also has been placed on probation by Richard Petty Motorsports and fined $10,000 to be donated to charity.
The 27-year-old driver was charged by Mooresville police after being pulled over at 1:27 a.m. in North Carolina. He was released after registering .08 on the Intoxilyzer and has a court date for Dec. 18.
"Honest truth, I had a couple of drinks at dinner and a couple that night,'' Allmendinger said. "I honestly thought I was fine. I had been drinking water for an hour and a half at that point and figured I was OK to drive home. I unfortunately got pulled over and it went from there.
"It was my fault. It was a bad decision. I wish I could take it back. I'd do anything to take it back. All I can do is go out there and learn from it and be a lot better person from it, which I will be. And hopefully educate other people you don't have to be having a ton of drinks to be filling like you're drunk. It only takes a little bit to be over the limit.''
10/30/09 Richard Petty Motorsports announced that it has taken the following actions in response to the incident involving driver A.J. Allmendinger: "We are disappointed with his actions. A.J. has told us that he has accepted full responsibility for his actions and will do what is right. We have placed A.J. on probation through the end of the 2010 racing season. In addition, he will be fined $10,000 which will be donated to charity."
10/29/09 It seems that NASCAR might just have a problem. Not only do they have issues with drug use in both of their series (GrandAm and NASCAR) with high profile cases and arrests in recent months, but it seems that there is a recurring and common occurrence of DUI infractions (or suspected) Perhaps they should institute a program to stem this sort of risk to the public, and NASCAR's reputation.
The Richard Petty Motorsports driver, according to the police report, was driving a 2007 Lexus when he was pulled over at 1:27 a.m. He was released to others at the owner's request. Police said he blew a .08 on a breathalyzer test. He has a court date for Dec. 18. "I made an error in judgment last night for which I take full responsibility," Allmendinger said in a statement released by RPM. "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." RPM officials said Allmendinger will be in the car this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. ESPN.com
10/29/09 For the second time in a week a NASCAR driver is in trouble with the law. A.J. Allmendinger, driver of the #44 car, was arrested for drunk driving, Mooresville police say. Allmendinger was pulled over around 1:30 a.m. Thursday along Highway 150. According to police, Allmendinger blew a 0.08, which is the legal limit in North Carolina. Last week Mooresville police say alcohol was a factor in an accident involving NASCAR driver and team owner Michael Waltrip. Officers investigating the accident suspected Waltrip was drinking, but when he was given a field sobriety test, he registered a 0.06. In North Carolina the legal limit is 0.08. News Observer