NASCAR handed out penalties like candy to trick or treaters this week, impacting both Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series drivers and teams. Two of the most serious penalties were given to Cup driver A.J. Allmendinger and Nationwide driver Steve Wallace.
Allmendinger, who drives the no. 44 Cup car for Richard Petty Motorsports, was put on probation until Dec. 31, 2009, for violation of Section 12-1 of the NASCAR rule book, actions detrimental to stock car racing. Allmendinger was arrested this morning for driving under the influence after being pulled over by the Mooresville, N.C., police.
Allmendinger admitted that he had drinks with dinner. When he was tested by the police, he blew a .08 on the breathalyzer -- just at the threshold for driving while intoxicated.
"I honestly felt fine," Allmendinger said. "But I obviously should have erred more on the side of caution, particularly given what I do for a living. It was a bad judgement call and I apologize for that."
Allmendinger's situation is especially ironic as he drives for Richard Petty, an owner that has traditionally rejected any alcohol sponsorship. He will also lose his driver's license for 30 days, although he will still be allowed to drive his race car for the rest of the season.
NASCAR spokesperson Ramsey Poston confirmed that the sanctioning body does not require a valid driver's license to participate in the race. He also advised, however, that Allmendinger would be penalized more severely if another infraction occcured during the time of his probation.
"I am deeply disappointed this happened," Petty said. "A.J. has accepted full responsibility for his actions and will work to make this right."
The other major penalty meted out by NASCAR this week was to Wallace. The driver of the No. 66 Nationwide car and son of NASCAR champion Rusty Wallace was fined $5,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2009.
Wallace was penalized for violating violating Section 12-1 of the NASCAR rule book for actions detrimental to stock car racing. The young driver hit Matt Kenseth's car on pit road after an on-track incident at last Saturday's race at the Memphis Motorsports Park.
It was Wallace's second weekend in a row where his frustrations got the best of him. In the prior race at Charlotte, Wallace threw his helmet in the garage after getting caught up in a late-race incident that ruined a top-ten finish.
NASCAR also handed out tricks -- not treats -- to two other Nationwide teams for infractions at the Memphis race. Jay Robinson, owner and crew chief for the No. 49 Chevrolet driven by Mark Green, was fined $2,500 and place on probation until Dec. 31, 2009.
Robinson was docked 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship owner points and Green lost 25 driver points. The violations were for Section 12-1, actions detrimental to stock car racing, Section 12-4-l, any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules, and 20A-12-4B, washers used to conceal slotted holes in the lower A-frame spring bucket.
The second Nationwide team to be penalized was the No. 70 Chevrolet driven by Shelby Howard and crew chiefed by Chris Rice. The team was fined $2,500 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2009.
Team owner Mary Louise Miller was penalized 25 championship owner points, while Howard lost 25 championship driver points due to the infractions. This team violated the same sections of the NASCAR rule book as the Robinson and Green team.
