25 summers ago, a good friend and I were headed north on Highway 99 just outside Central Point, Oregon, headed to another friend’s house. The Ford Mustang I was driving was struck by a carload of teenage girls who had been drinking. Both cars were totaled, but thank God, no one suffered more than minor injuries.
Others aren’t so lucky. With Halloween around the corner, 90 percent of traffic fatalities on that day are caused by DUII drivers. Far too many lives senselessly end because of drunk drivers. I cannot convey to you my sheer anger at the insanity of driving drunk when there’s a million ways to avoid it.
Remember promising young gun driver Rob Moroso? His life ended at 27 and another life ended with his in a 1990 drunk driving crash.
Frankly, I’m incensed that A.J. Allmendinger is getting no more than probation for his actions. I am further angered that Richard Petty Motorsports will let Allmendinger retain his ride this weekend at Talladega.
This happens just a matter of days after Michael Waltrip’s mishap involving him and a motorcycle. While he was not legally drunk, police say there’s little question alcohol played a part in an accident that could have killed Waltrip and the motorcycle rider.
The most maddening thing is these two drive a car for a living! They above all others should know the dangers associated with driving a vehicle with impaired faculties!
Think of the consequences! They’ve let down their teams, their families, their sponsors and their fans. Considering Mikey’s track record, I’d be done with him if I’m NAPA. As for Allmendinger, if I his sponsors, I’d tell Richard Petty, that I want to work with you, but not this kid, not until there’s discipline and demonstratable contrition. It’s not acceptable.
NASCAR has taken a lot of latitude with how they administer penalties regarding "conduct detrimental to stock car racing." I’d like to see them do something useful with it by making an example of these two so that it doesn’t happen again. I think a diversion program, and using their platform as drivers to speak out against drunk driving might also be good steps.
I’m not against forgiveness. We’re not talking a lifetime ban here. But there’s enough risks associated with driving without hindering your ability to drive by driving with a few drinks under your belt. Six weeks? A month? Anything more than the next to nothing that has happened would be an improvement.
Yes, I get the fact that Michael Waltrip was not legally drunk. By the same token, his conduct as a team owner,driver, and broadcaster is especially disappointing. If Bob Griese is going to get his chops busted for a ethnically insensitive remark, then doesn’t it make sense that Waltrip be given some kind of suspension for his life-threatening behavior?
Perhaps the sponsors will do what the governing body and the teams are unwilling to do…park the drivers by pulling the sponsorships. Money is one way to get people’s attention in this sport.
Am I overreacting? I think not. Truthfully, I think NASCAR’s real drug problem is alcohol abuse, when I hear about how drunk one driver gets tossing back margaritas on his birthday, and how one driver plans to single-handedly empty a case of beer after a victory. Look if you want to drink yourself stupid, that’s your prerogative- that’s your business. When you get out in that shape on the road shared with my wife and children, your damn right it’s my business.
Is it really worth it? Is life so devoid of meaning that drunkenness has to be a part of a celebration?
Does someone else have to die before this stops?
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Jim,
I agree completely.
Many new fans probably have never heard of Rob Moroso. What happened to him was indeed a tragedy.
In addition to the examples you sited. I was frankly amazed that NASCAR Truck owner Billy Ballew was arrested for DUI, with a mixed drink with him in his vehicle. On AMS property, refused a breathalyzer. Was hauled off to jail, & it was like, Ho Hum. No big deal.
But then I suppose if NASCAR were to take a stand on these incidents.
Then it might call unwelcome attention to some other incidents a little closer to home.
I’ve often wondered how many similar deals might have been overlooked?
Waltrip wasn’t drunk and for the police saying it was a factor reminds me of the American Cancer Society saying George Burns death at 101 was smoking related (HE WAS 101)!
Tony Stewart is over weight so I guess any accident he is in was caused by obesity?
I’m a performer and truthfully I get tired of people expecting people in the spotlight to be more perfect than Jesus. Most of us try to be on our best behaviour, but that doesn’t mean we we have to live like we are applying for sainthood. How would your lives look if it was under a microscope?
Waltrip blew a .04 and passed the field sobriety test with flying colors. The harley rider “had a few beers”, so we blame Waltrip??? And his sponsor should leave because a motorcyclist ran into HIM??? Would we feel the same if this was Jr. ??? Yeah, right.
@Sue. I know of whom you speak, and no human can hold up to that standard. I get that. I also know that the motorcycle rider involved had also been drinking. But if you actually talk to a police officer, such as I have, you will then know that you don’t have to be legally drunk to be impaired. These guys make loads of money. You mean to tell me they can’t call a cab?
@Bonzai. Has Junior been guilty such an infraction? When he is, I’ll call him on it. As far as Waltrip goes, there would seem to be an emerging problem. Historically, I’ve rooted for Mikey. Yes, he is human, yes, he will make mistakes. Does this excuse bad behavior? Am I seeing more evidence of blame shifting and making excuses for celebrities?
Let me say this first, I am totally against drinking and driving, but I can tell you from past experience, that almost ALL the NASCAR drivers do it or have done it. It’s all a matter of who gets caught. I don’t care that these guys make a living from racing, everyone should know better, racecar driver or not. But I also think everyone deserves a second chance, none of us are perfect, we all make mistakes, including racecar drivers. But it’s what they do for a living that puts them in the spotlight. How many people out there can tell me they NEVER had a beer or glass of wine or something else and then got behind the wheel of a car?
@Janine. You may very well be right. I am not by any means advocating a lifetime ban or anything of the sort. I just don’t think such behavior should go without consequences suffered. What do yuo think wold happen to a cab driver if he got busted for DUII? What part of the message “If you drink, don’t drive” are people not getting? I DO engage in the consumption of a beer or two a year, and either a go home on foot, I have my wife drive, or I consume it at home.
Just because people do it, doesn’t make it right.
Jim, I agree, it doesn’t make it right. I’m not sure what part of don’t drink and drive people don’t get. I do not drink and drive, either does my husband. When we go some where that alcohol is available, one of us does not drink. If a cab driver gets busted for DUI he or she should pay the same fines and penalties as anyone else. Nothing more, nothing less. Same for racecar drivers.
The problem with NASCAR’s drug and alcohol program starts at the top. So if the leaders of NASCAR are setting the example for everyone else to follow, we should be greatful that more people aren’t injured or killed by the poor examples being set.
Let’s also look at how the media deals with this. When Scott Wimmer drove for Bill Davis Racing and was found hiding under his bed for a DUI and wrecking his vehicle, the media screamed for all sorts of actions to be taken against him for a period of several weeks. When the CEO of NASCAR had consumed a number of alcoholic beverages, hit parked cars, and rassled with some palm trees, the media went silent after a couple of days. More recently, when JC France was arrested for DUI and possession of narcotics, there was maybe 2 days worth of coverage and that was it. The same with the recent incident involving the younger Waltrip. Will the media follow suit and only give Allmendinger 2 days worth of interest and then drop it? Or will they pursue it the same way they did Scott Wimmer?
DUI is pretty stupid. Allmendinger admitted to it and admitted he made a rather large mistake by doing so. I’m glad he recognized it as being stupid and apologized for his actions. But, there’s another issue here involving NASCAR’s Drug and Alcohol policy.Will NASCAR indefinitely suspend him for violating NASCAR’s drug and alcohol policy, make him go through alcohol rehabilitation, and then file to be re-instated? Or will they be take no actions against him?
@Janine2. and to that end, I applaud the choice you and your husband have made. Others should follow. I would suspect a cabbie or bus driver would at the least, face a temporary suspension, probation and would likely be required under law to attend some kind of class. But think of this, how weird would it be to have a driver on the track, who would not be allowed to drive out on the open road. Does that not seem a little weird to you?
Yeah- I am probably being a little overly preachy. Maybe I wouldn’t be so if I weren’t writing at least one story a month on my job about children being orphaned and lives being ruined because someone doesn’t have the common sense to stay away from the driver’s seat after consuming alcohol. There’s no shame in saying, “I’ve had a drink or two, can you give me a lift? I should call a cab, or is it o.k. if I crash here?” What’s more embarrassing?That or a DUII?
@Mad Man. There is a larger issue here, as you correctly point out, and one can only hope things will change.
I know people who have been court ordered to take a alcohol abuse class. If the person doesn’t believe they have a problem or understand why they are there, the class is a waste of time. I too hate to hear about innocent people being hurt or killed by someone who has been drinking. My question is does AJ have a drinking problem or was this a rare occurence for him? Then go from there.
Jim, put yourself in AJ’s position. Should you be suspended from your job if you got a DUI? Should I get suspended from my job if I got a DUI? I think not. It was an unfortunate event and he will pay his dues as do people who choose to drink and drive. If you really want to make a statement, why don’t we institute the death penality for DUI’s that result in death. A DUI, for most, is already humiliating enough and most will never do it again. So, let him pay the price without further humiliating him.
I’m with you! These are supposedly professional “drivers” – not baseball players, lawyers, or farmers. If he took Claritin on race day because he had allergies NASCAR wouls suspend him indefinitely. The same should be true for getting a DWI. It’s nice that AJ appologized and admitted he was wrong to drive after drinking. He should be SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY not go on “probation” for 2 months. I guess NASCAR can’t come down hard on drivers when they take millions of dollars from alcholic beverage companies.
@Brian. Appreciate your compassion, but whoa, let’s back up the truck. The death penalty, am I in any way suggesting that or ANYTHING close to it? God forbid! You’re right, what he is going through if humiliating. Good! He could have killed somebody or himself. To be honest Brian, a DUII conviction WOULD cost me my job, or at the very least, face some type of suspension. Or know of other lines of work where similar consequences doesn’t cut it. At the very least, I’d like to see AJ perhaps with no more season left then there is, parked fr the remaining 4 races. A probation until the end of the year, and then reinstatement with a stiffer penalty if it ever happens again. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying AJ is a bad guy, I’m just saying he’s committed an egregious offense and deserves consequences befitting of someone who has done so.
I’d say drug / alcohol tests every week for offenders!
No question that Michael “POS” Waltrip was drinking when he ran into the biker. The cops knew it and he blew a .06 which means he had been drinking. Of course this is below what he would have registered when he rolled his SUV and ran over a telephone pole then stumbled back to his pool room in his socks to sleep it off while not answering the door for thr cops. Of course the only time you don’t constantly see or hear form this POS is when he is in trouble. Either that or he drags his daugther out and holds her up as a shield like he did when they caught him using rocket fuel. At least AJ admitted he did wrong immediately. We hear nothing from the biggest mouth in NA$CAR, except more patheitc sponsor promotions.
Driving under the influence is wrong, but the media always holds everyone else to a different standard. How about disclosure of the driving records of those in the NASCAR media room?
You know I’ve lived in the world with drunk drivers, murderers, rapists, drug dealers ect. And if I were asked by a terrestral what is mans greatest flaw, I would reply paranoia.
Everyone is out to condemn bad guys, but sure enough as with every generation more bad guys! Your symptom solving paranoia isn’t going to solve the problem, why do we have DWIs, there’s the problem. Taking AJ job away is beautiful fa la la to take the eyes off the issue. You have to admit we live in a world full of stupid people, Aj and Mikey are honest representations of that.
@Richard. You set that up, and I’ll sign up first. Nothing to hide, just some speeding stupidity, a dangerous left turn that got me in one heck of a mess (my fault), and a couple of silly “fix it” tickets in college. It doesn’t matter to me.
@Pelican. We could probably spend a good few hours unpacking your comments- quite though provoking, if nothing else.
I was wondering if you ever make ethnically sensitve remarks? I don’t mean in print. Thanks.
I have always found it interesting how the public condemns the drunk driver so much more than other criminals. I’m not condoning it but would there be this much attention paid to AJ if he was caught texting & driving. Both are dangerous and can have tragic results but the punishment & public scorn for the drunk driver is much greater. Just look at the difference in what Michael Waltrip’s penalty could have been with one more drink. He caused an accident! That is the real crime.
@Tom. I run 4 days a week. My worst “near misses” have been with idiots on cell phones. It will be illegal here in Oregon come January. While I am politically conservative, I actually agree with that law. Good points.
jimmccoy22, there are very few jobs in which you can be fired or suspended from for DUI (unless it is in a contract.) I work in an industry that employs thousands of employees and we have no such rule. Unfortunately, I know many people with DUI’s and there biggest punishment is getting to work while there licence is suspended especially since we start work at 5:30 am. I guess what I am saying here is that if AJ lost his licence to drive a car from his DUI, then yes, he should not be allowed to compete behind the wheel of a racecar. But if he hasn’t, go about your day and pay the other price, i.e. court, fines, public service, etc. However, I am a big supporter of take a life because of DUI (conscious choice to get behind the wheel and drive drunk) and lose yours. Its about the choices you make.
I sure wish some of you would take a look at what other sports personalities get arrested for- and usually welcomed back,if they’re a star,with open arms. Check out the NFL-NBA-NHL,etc. and thank God “our ” guys are saints in comparison.
@Brian.
@Bonzaibonnie. Interesting comments. While I appreciate A.J.’s apparent contrition, what is distrubing to me as I look at the body of comments here is how we’ve become a society of blame shifters, enablers and excuse makers. Yes, NASCAR drivers have a far better track record than their peers in the stick and ball world. Does this make what Allmendinger did right?
Brian- it is about choices. Why do we treat drinking as some sacred ritual? A good many athletes don’t drink at all because it offers little or no benefit. Do you have to drink a beer or wine to live? We don’t live in Mexico fplks, our water in America rearely makes us sick.
What ever happened to personal responsibility in our world? Whatever happened to someone paying the consequences for their wrongdoings? The punishment fitting the crime?
I’ll tell you this: all of you making excuses for these guys would go away if you lost somebody to an impaired driver. You wouldn’t be defending the abject stupidity of these men if your life were altered because impaired drivers like the moral clarity or judgment to keep themselves out of these situations.
Let me ask this one last question, then i’m moving on (and I would really like your comments on this.) Do you speed in your car or do you drive the exact speed limit? Can you injure or kill someone with speeding? I speed everyday and I take that chance and I will (along with my family) will pay the consequences from my actions if I injure or kill somebody because of my ignorance and lack of patience getting to work (I drive 65 miles to work one way, every day.) Should I get suspended from work if I got a reckless driving charge? How about NASCAR drivers, should they get suspended for reckless driving charge if caught driving way over the speed limit? I know you are going to come back and say we are not talking about the same thing, however, its ALL about making a conscious choice. Let the state law take care of AJ and his choice, let the owners make the choice as they see fit on what actions to take against their drivers and let NASCAR make a policy about suspending drivers (if they lose their drivers licence due to vehicular irresponsibilities.) You, me, you neighbor all have our vices and we all make mistakes. To say NASCAR drivers need to be roles models or heroes, thats up to them, not you or me. I don’t drink, nor do I drink and drive and I don’t consider it a “Sacred ritual.” My brothers do and they will live with their consequences if anything happens and I’d be the last person to stand up and say, “But they are really good people and they don’t deserve jail time, etc.” if they hit or kill somebody, that was was their choice and they will live with it. I will honestly answer my own question, when I was younger, did I have a few drinks and drive? Yes, I did. Have you EVER had a drink or two, or even more and get behind the wheel (even if it was only to drive a few blocks? Please answer honestly, then, and only then, if you answered no, go ahead and throw your stones.
@Brian. You make a valid point. It would be disingenuous of me to say I’ve never sped. But let me make this distinction: are you not driving with a heightened sense of alertness, because your reaction time will be less? I bet you do. I know I do, and that still does not make that legally right. Throw in the alcohol factor or ANYTHING that would impair your senses. Do I speed? Yes. Not all the time, but on the freeway, I’m going anywhere from 5-10 over, but never over that. If I get a speeding ticket (my most recent was about 20 years ago), I will pay the fine. That said, I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER drive at an excessive speed for whatever roadway I’m on. I agree with you there.
Brian- here’s what I want to see from A.J. Allmendinger:
1) Genuine contrition. Admittedly, it will take time for him to live that out. 2) I think it not unreasonable, besides whatever legal consequences, for him be punished at least enough to make him think twice, moral failings asides. and most importantly, because so many drunk drivers are repeat offenders, I just want him to not do it again.
What frustrates me is when athletes and celebrities get some slap on the wrist you and I wouldn’t get because of their notoriety. When it come to the DUI conviction, if he loses his license, he shouldn’t race while he’s not able to drive on the street. As time unfolds, I am seeing things that at least make feel a little better about this. At the end of the day, I just want A.J. Allmedinger not do it again. Same for Michael Waltrip. If they want a beer or two, fine. There’s nothing wrong with that. Just call a cab or get a designated driver next time. It’s that easy.
I can’t stand it either when athleles get slaps on the wrists too. Total agreement there with you. I really enjoyed this debate with you and I think you and I are on the same page for the most part, just different paragraphs. Have a Happy Holloween, be safe and keep up the great writing.
@Brian. Thank you. I concur. Perhaps the greater lesson here is not what they do but what we do. I appreciate the intelligent discussion, and welcome your input pro or con any time.