Just when you thought the Chase was getting a bit boring, business is about to pick up. SPEED has an all-day NASCAR Marathon from Talladega that should feature something for everyone.
On the track, there will be two sessions of Sprint Cup Series practice and coverage of qualifying for the Camping World Truck Series. Away from the track, things are getting stranger by the hour.
After Michael Waltrip's recent accident and subsequent questionable sobriety behind the wheel, AJ Allmendinger was stopped Wednesday night while driving through the very same town. This time, the intoxicated NASCAR personality was not so lucky.
Allmendinger was arrested for DUI, but instead of spending time behind bars with a public mugshot he was sent home after being cited and signing a promise to appear in court. That decision might have been just as positive for his career as picking up the #43 ride for next season. After the Waltrip warm-up, Allmendinger's mugshot would literally have traveled around the world online.
John Roberts starts the day for SPEED with NASCAR Live at 1:30PM. It should be interesting to see who the producer assigns reporters Randy Pemberton and Hermie Sadler to interview. If Allmendinger is not on the list, there are others who should be. One of them is named Larry McReynolds.
Wednesday, McReynolds took to Sirius Satellite radio to vent his new found anger about the recent series of interview articles published by veteran reporter Dustin Long. In a very public way, McReynolds basically blamed Long for painting him in a negative light. He went so far as to suggest that NASCAR personalities should no longer talk with Long due to issues of trust.
Long is currently the president of the National Motorsports Press Association. He has a long track record of accurate reporting mixed with informed opinions. Perhaps, McReynolds might like an opportunity to clear the air on TV. At least that would give him the opportunity to wipe whatever egg is remaining off his face.
On the track, McReynolds and company will cover both Sprint Cup Series practices. These sessions are often more exciting than parts of the race as the drivers practice seeing how their cars run in the front and back of the pack, as well as how well they draft. This is one session where in-car camera views are a blast.
Rick Allen will lead Phil Parsons and Michael Waltrip through Camping World Truck Series qualifying at 5PM. Waltrip has been silent on his recent impaired driving issue. It should be interesting to see if the Allmendinger incident gets a comment.
The evening caps with Trackside at 7PM that brings McReynolds into view again. The panel also includes host Steve Byrnes with Jeff Hammond and Elliot Sadler. Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards are the guests.
Adding the outstanding Dave Despain on Assignment program about Talladega and a repeat of Inside the Headsets gives SPEED a solid nine hours of NASCAR programming on Friday.
With the topics noted above and two NASCAR series on the track, this should very much be an interesting Friday for SPEED.
This post will serve to host your comments about Friday's NASCAR TV. To add your TV-related opinion, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thanks for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
85 comments:
How is it that AJ gets probation through the end of the year, yet Mikey gets off with a blurb? Mikey struck another person, not to mention there is some debate about his prior accident in 2007. He said he was tired and fell asleep that the wheel, I have heard different stories from people in the area. Yet Mikey skates by. Maybe a couple people called attention to it in various blogs, but television allows him to slide since he is a fellow member.
AJ should have been placed on probation, and it should serve as a warning to ALL drivers, and the media should discuss it. Picking AJ apart is easy, I only hope that like other sports, this gets mentioned in a bit of a broader picture meaning "Why in the heck would you even RISK driving impaired with what is at stake regarding your career and future?"
Hopefully it doesn't get swept under the rug, Mikey's really shouldn't have either.
David, you are off on a tangent. The reason AJ got probation is because he was arrested in the state of North Carolina for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.
Had Waltrip been .02 higher, you can rest assured he would have joined the list.
JD
So because AJ was arrested and Mikey was not, Mikey walks without NASCAR saying nary a word?
I just feel as a television personality, owner, and representative of the sport, Mikey should be held to a standard that it would have gotten more than a blurb. Mikey struck someone, AJ did not.
Just my two cents. One guy has a pattern of questionable driving behavior in the state of NC, the other is a first timer. Both are in the wrong I feel yet AJ will probably get a good deal of discussion this weekend where last weekend it was a blurb story.
Let me get this straight,legally
intoxicated,and not taken to jail?
Shame on the law enforcement.Is NASCAR going to suspend him pending compleating a recovery
program?
I don't see how Petty can keep AJ in the 43. The King --hates-- alcohol. That number is too special, and AJ is too average. Too bad they can't get their marquee guy KK with his big Bud sponsorship on the 43. It would be nice to see that number be a contender instead of running in the back. I guess bud must love #9, not sure why they'd give that to Best Buy.
I'll be waiting to hear what Larry Mac has to say. If we get the NASCAR company line from him, I guess I'll vote with my remote and turn him off. Don't get me wrong, I think Larry is a good guy and knows his stuff, but he was just plain wrong to throw Dustin Long under the bus.
The Dave Despain on Assignment program about Talladega was on earlier and is a repeat, but if you're a real fan of NASCAR you should watch it. Really good stuff about the first race and what went on back in 1969. Don't miss what Bobby Allison says happened between Lee Roy Yarbrough and Big Bill France. Bobby is trying real hard not to laugh on camera while talking about it.
I think the bigger thing about Dinger's DUI is who he drives for. Richard Petty who will never have any alcohol related anything on his cars. To see him sip the wine in VL was huge news.
I would rather have my mug shot plastered all over TMZ than to have to face a disappointed Richard Petty.
Tomorrow is a state holiday in NV. We were admitted to the Union on Oct 31st. I checked the guide and my whole day will consist of watching SPEED. Starting with D Despain's show about Dega @ 9:30A. I'm a happy girl.
Despain is doing a thing on Talladega? I just read that, then checked my on-screen guide, and you're right. I haven't seen a preview, but I'm sure it will be cool.
@ Anon 2:04 am
Despain's Talladega special is very interesting. It covers the construction of the track and the first race. That was the one where the members of the newly-formed Professional Drivers Association, fearing for their lives due to extreme tire wear on the new 'Dega track, boycotted the race. Petty, Pearson, the Allisons, Yarborough, Yarbrough, Baker and other drivers went toe-to-toe with Bill France Sr.
I'm going to watch the show again. It was a fascinating look at one of NASCAR's marquee tracks and the first (and last) time the drivers had what amounts to a union. Great stuff.
--KarenB
Dot said...
"Richard Petty who will never have any alcohol related anything on his cars. "
Ummm your aware that the #9 is a RPM car right. The King has little to no control at RPM anymore.
I think Dinger should be out of the car this week. The precedent was set with Kurt, and should be followed in this case as well.
The part that really digs on me is that he was not booked. Star Power to the rescue I guess. If an average Joe had this happen, car would be impounded and you'd be spending the next 16 hours in jail.
I have to agree with David. Both AJ AND Waltrip were in the wrong. Who cares if Micheal wasn't LEGALLY intoxicated he still had alcohol in his system. Just because the person he struck is ok it doesn't make it ok. What if the person had died would it still be a non issue? Drinking and driving is wrong anyway you look at it BOTH AJ and Waltrip should be on probation. Two drivers in one week is just crazy. I'm surprised we haven't seen a statement by Mayfield about the double standard of drugs vs. alcohol in NASCAR. Also if Jr would have done that all hell would have broke lose.
Larry McReynolds just needs to grow up.
People, People, PEOPLE!!
Talk about "fast and loose with the facts": "...Mikey struck another person..."
According to the only NEWSPAPER articles I've found, Waltrip and the Harley rider COLLIDED. Doesn't say who hit whom. Of course some local TV station reporter worded it "Waltrip crashed into the cyclist" - but we all know how reliable local TV station reporters are.
Also, HE WAS NOT DRUNK! He passed all the tests. The most the cops could say was "alcohol was involved". The only law he broke was an illegal U-turn.
Lastly, several reports have stated that the Harley rider ALSO ADMITTED DRINKING. And nobody has gotten a statement from him.
So please lets tone down the rhetoric and stick to facts as they are known at the present.
If Mikey, AJ, or Larry Mac have anything further to say on TV we might get more facts, but it's likely that their respective counsel have advised them to avoid comments.
Here's what you'll get from Larry Mac:
"We're in ALABAMA!!! These are my people!!!" He'll break out an Alabama hat, and go from there...then the same ol' same ol' will ensue...
People that expect otherwise are dreaming. Larry Mac can't wait for this thing to die, the casual NASCAR fan has no idea what happened, and this time next week it's a non-story.
I read that AJ was cited for DUI-Driving While Impaired, not Intoxicated. Might want to check that fact out.
Dot said...
I think the bigger thing about Dinger's DUI is who he drives for. Richard Petty who will never have any alcohol related anything on his cars. To see him sip the wine in VL was huge news.
Might want to check out the #9 car next time you "watch" a race??!!!
Waltrip turned in the path of a motorcyclist who then impacted the passenger door of his Lexus.
AJ was arrested for DUI, Waltrip's ticket indicates he was impaired during the accident.
Let's get back to watching what SPEED will be doing today, it should be interesting to see how this unfolds.
JD
By Jim Utter - jutter@charlotteobserver.com
MOORESVILLE, N.C -- TALLADEGA, Ala. – Despite an arrest Thursday for driving while impaired, Sprint Cup Series driver AJ Allemendinger will compete in Sunday’s Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Big difference between Impaired and Intoxicated.......
again, i feel it's important to clarify since folks are feeling that richard petty should toss AJ from the car b/c of petty's perceived stand on alcohol:
richard petty is not against alcohol at all. the decision to not have an alcohol company as a sponsor came not because HE is opposed to alcohol but because of a promise he made to his mother (grandmother? i can never keep that straight.) he refused alcohol company $$ because he promised her he would.
somehow, this has become him, personally, being anti-alcohol and led to the amazement of him drinking wine in victory lane.
and, of course, the entire argument was rendered moot by having budweiser sponsor the #9 car.
but then again, it speaks to how little impact richard petty now has in the company that bears his name.
I had read the "frankly speaking" articles with a lot of interest and had thought to myself, wow, finally, some of the NASCAR media (Larry Mac and Kyle Petty) are actually talking about things that the fans have been saying for a while. So, I guess Larry got cold feet all of a sudden and is backtracking fast. I had also read Poston's rebuttal -- so did NASCAR threaten Larry's credentials or is he just that wimpy a guy after all? NASCAR speaks and all tremble in their shoes.
I'm with @Vince -- if all I hear from Larry Mac this weekend is the party line and hear how he was "misquoted", then I too will vote with my remote and turn them all off.
It's so ridiculous that all of the media has to pander to the France family. Yes, the emperor has NO clothes but no one will say so. The fans are no longer showing up or tuning in but everything is wonderful.
And the Orlando Sentinel...
Mooresville Police, in their second encounter in as many weeks with a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver, arrested Allmendinger for drunk driving. He registered a .08 blood alcohol level according to a police report.
Police report is DWI not DUI
To clarify something 'Bill' said...Kurt was only a .02 or .03, I forget. He drove through a stop sign, if I remember right. He was suspended those last two races by Roush Racing at Crown Royal's request. Owner/sponsor decision, not NASCAR's, so there wasn't a precedent on their part. I'll never forget the part where Kenny Wallace got the call from Roush to drive the 97 while on Raceday....
I'm not a big fan of Mikey's, but I think the big difference between the two cases is about .02....and yes, I agree, neither were using good judgement, both did (as did Kurt) something 'illegal.' But I suspect other drivers have had speeding tickets, etc during the years, and that's illegal too. I like AJ, he seems to be taking the right tone, and I don't think it's indicative of a bigger problem. He should have known to take a cab or have someone else drive, simple as that. We ALL should.
larry sounded like a punk on sirius the other night. i thought of the blurb that moody plays from time to time....you can dish it out, but you cant take it.
Red, Richard Petty is the figurehead of RPM, not the owner. Its the Gillete's team and that is clear. They opted to use Richard as a mascot for most intents and purpses, but allowed him to keep the alcohol contigs off his two numbered cars. Its a shame that it has come to that for Richard, but its better than not seeing him around at all and going the route of a Bud Moore.
Hopefully drivers take the last two weeks as a reality check and we don't have to hear about more of this any time soon
For all those of the opinion that Dinger and Waltrip should be suspended from racing, the question I have to ask is there a " Personal Contduct " policy in place in the NASCAR Rule book? If there is not, then even putting A.J. on probation opens up NASCAR to more legal exposure, falling back on thier " Catch All ", Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book.
If there is no " Personal Conduct " Policy, maybe it is time that NASCAR should impliment one. In that way all participants would be aware and everyone would be treated equally. This would have two positive effects I believe.
One, it would be a deterrant and two, reduce NASCAR from unfair treatment legal exposure in the future
Here I sit in my satellite office all by myself so getting caught on a non work relate site won't be a problem. I am disappointed in both Mikey and AJ, but I do not want them to lose their livelihood over this. I do hope and expect they will be peeing in a cup on a regular basis for the rest of the year and I do not expect Nascar to tell us this nor should they. I know people are making a big deal of AJ just getting an appearance ticket but depending on the state/local laws this is not so unusual for a first offense. That's the research someone should do, did AJ get special treatment or was it SOP.
Larry Mac, I'm torn about this one. I love Larry Mac and I respect Dustin Long. I just hope they can both clear the air and chalk it up to a complete and utter misunderstanding and if all I hear from both of them is that they worked it out and all is fine, I'm good.
Now if I could just see practice from this office life would be perfect
once again, anon 12:03, NASCAR would be able to argue that they are not the drivers' employer...I believe the teams and/or sponsors probably have something in place. Some teams won't allow facial hair and stuff like that.
Daytona 1959.
Incar camera run by guy in the back seat, while passing a convertable.
Daytona 2009
Incar cam, bumpercam, helmet cam, footcam the COT and softer walls. Amazing what has changed in 50 years. So racing better? Old school Vs New school.
In NC, "Driving While Impaired" replaced "Driving While Intoxicated". The law covers all alcohol and drug-related impairment.
Drivers and crew are NOT employees of NASCAR.
Not sure how it is that NASCAR gets to spank AJ for away-from-the-track events.
@ Anon 1:03 PM
NASCAR certifies or license Drivers to race in thier series.
Again, just like NASCAR's previous Drug Use policy, which we all have seen was so undefined, they use Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book, which was in previous rule books, to put drivers on probation, suspend them and to revoke thier driving previlages.
We have seen how thier previous Drug Use policy and the current policy have worked out. This broad so called " Rule ", they could in thier opinion suspend drivers for any number of races. As history has shown, they exercise and administer the punishment handed out any way they see fit.
If they wanted to suspend Dinger or Waltrip from racing, under this rule, they could.
Ray Pemerton from NASCAR was on the begining of SPEED's Live Trackside. Said they have addressed the issue with A.J. and that is it, nothing more will be done. As far as they are concerned the matter is addressed and they will move on.
RE: nothing for Dinger
Maybe nascar has decided they need to stop starting fires and put some out
I think Nascar's "probation" is a joke!
just thinking back...when Wimmer was convicted he was also placed on probation by NASCAR for the rest of the season (which was the whole season), plus community service in addition to that issued by the court. So in that sense, this is consistent (except for the community service.)
@ Bill 3:03 AM, I was waiting for someone to bring that up.
I still wouldn't want to face him, regardless.
Well, so far, it's business as usual for Larry and the Boyz guess we arn't going to acknowledge any unpleasentness this weekend
Nascar doesn't want any unpleasantness at all and is ignoring the bad stuff. I just read where Memphis Motorsports is shutting down the track. Too bad the races were fun to watch.
On NASCAR Live Robin Pemberton talked about AJ and then they showed the King's quote about AJ's arrest so I think that Speed covered it enough.
@anon 1:41--that was Robin :).
Robin is VP of Competition
Ryan is a CC
Randy SPEED Reporter
Roman is a spotter last I heard.
From @jim_utter:
RPM set to announce team fine of #nascar driver AJ Allmendinger
From Dustin
#NASCAR ... RPM places Allmendinger on probation thru end of 2010 racing season. Also fined him $10,000 -- to be donated to charity.
Tweeted by Jim Utter:
#NASCAR forced Allmendinger to take and pass a Breathalyzer test before he could participate in Friday practices, the Observer confirmed.
--KarenB
Mikey complaining that nascar parked him sort of, and won't let the teams practice the way they need to for the race.
Larry Mac made to comments about not messing with the France family when it comes to decisions.
What do you guys think of how SPEED is handling those hot button issues so far?
JD
I am talking about NASCAR pulling Waltrip off the track during practice and also giving AJ a breathalizer before allowing him on track.
Well, JD, they would have to actually HANDLE them for me to have an opinion. They did short and sweet with the Dinger, and Larry is taking vailed pot shots so I don't know. Denial on both sides now seems a valid strategy with such a 'big' race, maybe more will be said on support shows during the week.
I think that they are going to sweep it all under the rug.
If this week has taught/reminded me anything it is that NASCAR is far too inbred as far as the media and the sport are concerned. It is, and I am not making this up, as bad as ultimate fighting or wrestling. More than anything, this is what could very well cause the downfall of the sport. People who stress out about "phantom cautions" and other conspiracy stories are missing the real danger to this thing that we all love. The real story is in the muzzling of any dissension and the selling out of everything to the highest bidder.
I'm disgusted with NASCAR, disgusted with ESPN, and disgusted with a spineless Larry Mac. That last is the worst because I really used to enjoy him.
Whatever I guess. If NASCAR doesn't care, why should I. Are you ready for some football? I am.
Just thinking. Just saw Waltrip get parked for the rest of practice for very aggressive driving.He was doing exactly what NASCAR had told all of the drivers not to do.What is up with this guy? All of these years in racing and he just doesn't get it. Of course the SPEED guys barely touched on this issue. If I were NASCAR I would test him immediately to see if there was a reason for him not obeying their directives. What's good for AJ should be good for Waltrip.
personally I think giving AJ a breathelizer test is stupid and laughable, just rediculose. As for Mikey all it proves is don't defy nascar.
"It is, and I am not making this up, as bad as ultimate fighting or wrestling."
Allow me to clarify. I wanted to say:
"It is, and I am not making this up, as bad as ultimate fighting or wrestling as far as the whole sport being controlled by a very few people."
Glad Dillnor asked so taking the issue headon, and KK makes it plain that the 'rules' are inconsistant and confusing. Good interview. Dillnor didn't lead him or step on his answer.
My veri is lible - Swear to G!
Nascar actually asked AJ to have him give a breathalyzer test? I can't believe it that is absolutely crazy. But if your last name is France you get a free pass.
IMHO, both AJ and Michael should lose their state drivers license for being intoxicated behind the wheel, thusly they should lose their NASCAR license.
Whats that you say? Waltrip wasnt legally drunk? Damn close enough for me considering both of them couldve killed someone
wickedj - They have NOT been convicted of a crime yet ... Nor have they pleaded out with a "guilty" or "no lo contendre" ...
NASCAR set the precendent with Scott Wimmer in 2004 ...
Surprised, not really, that Phil & Mikey brought up his getting sent to the Penalty Box during Cup Happy Hour ...
Glad I was asleep all this time.
So clearly I missed quite a bit.
Good thing RPM is actually PAYING AJ now...otherwise that would sound silly paying a fine to a team that doesn't even pay you...
Gotta look proactive tho NASCAR, right?
New truck rules are interesting. Self venting fuel can....wonder if that'll transfer over to NW or Cup?
I was out doing yardwork. What is a self venting gas can? Does this eliminate the catch can guy? Sorry if this sounds like a dumb question.
Re: Dinger's breathalyzer. Does anybody think he would actually be drinking before practice? Even the night before?
Dot, no, I don't think they do either. I think it's like taking Tom Logano's hard card so he has to sign in every week...it's NASCAR's version of 'let us remind you of where you are'. I think it's actually not a bad idea. Years ago I read about a judge who sentenced a man to mail a check for a dollar every day to the parents of someone he killed in a DWI. They ended up helping him when he got out of prison. But I thought it was creative sentencing.
That was a funny comment about Spencer...
I wonder whether AJ might have been one of the random samplees for the drug testing program? If so, the breathalyzer might have been part of that since the policy is pretty explicit, as I recall, about alcohol use before the end of the race. Otherwise, sounds like a silly PR idea to me.
remember when you were a kid and got caught chewing gum...and the teacher put it on your nose? (Yeah, I'm old.) It's like that. And it's also a message to every other driver in the garage.
Anyone on here able to tell Rutledge his twitter is stuck or hijacked or something, Please tell it to stop!
Why is it sooooo hard for NASCAR-related websites to have a live leaderboard for the Truck series?!?!?
It's not brain surgery, boys & girls ... You already have them for Cup & Nationwide ... Why not the Trucks?!?!?
Michael, sorry I can't call him MIKEY, it sounds too dumb! He has been around long enough to know that when NASCAR tells you something, they mean it. The repeated problems show he doesn't get it. I can't take anything he says seriously, trucks are on now but because of him I can't watch.Pick on other broadcasters all you want, but he is the one who has no broadcasting talent , but gets away scott free, go figure!
I'm not a Waltrip fan, but as he explained, he took a chance that he'd get busted by NASCAR so he could learn something about his car. Pretty simple, a deliberate choice.
Dot, yes that is correct it would eliminate the need for a catch can person
ri88girl - Rut says he knows.
@ David, thanks.
David @ 5:38 PM said
...Good thing RPM is actually PAYING AJ now...otherwise that would sound silly paying a fine to a team that doesn't even pay you...
Who said RPM is Paying A.J. ?
Great comments, just watching Trackside. Interesting to see the very different perspectives on these issues.
Good segment with Carl Edwards on Trackside.
I believe Michael Nifong showed that most of the media values the story above all else, especially individual rights.
ut oh...guess they were trying to make that 3 a little too good...
Annon, he raced for free earlier in the season, he is being paid now though since Reed is the one racing for free.
Glen did they put him on the trailer?
If Austin is out, who's in?
Jennifer Jo Cobb would be in
shoot, I was hoping it was Gosselin. I mean, you go to the trouble of dressing your kids in monkey suits...
I just heard them mention it on trackside, they didn't give any details.
Gosslin got in on time. The only 2 DNQ's were Cobb and Harmon. Cobb gets in, Harmon and Dillon head to the house.
never mind...I must've heard 'Harmon' as Gosselin or something.
I can't believe they used to wear those pants with the prints. But then, anyone remember Zubaz? Yuck....
Austin's truck was too low in the front end ...
Though, the ambient temperatures can affect the gas in the shocks ...
JJC is gonna start & park
btw, so glad to see Steve Park...very nice guy, met him a couple times.
I think its pretty stupid asking AJ to take a breathalizer before practice. I guess they can use the "random" drug test concept as an excuse but it's pretty coincidental under the circumstances. Larry Mac is a big disappointment to me at this point. I thought he was more of a stand up guy than this. NASCAR just manages to make everyone bend over, don't they?
@glen--yup very happy for Steve! He' a great guy!
I was having a bad day, but decided to watch Trackside anyway. I enjoyed it a lot. It was just what I needed. Now if I didn't go to another message board after it, I would have been fine.
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