Comments on: And In Conclusion: On ‘Dega & ‘Dinger

By: Hawk

Hawk — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:42:49 +0000

I don’t disagree with many of your comments. My point was NASCAR’s inconsistency and willingness to look the other way when alcohol is the drug of choice. I agree that NASCAR’s concern should be impairment on the track, and most of these off-track problems will be resolved by sponsors and teams.

By: janine

janine — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:13:12 +0000

AJ was not driving his race car under the influence. I agree NO ONE should drink and drive, but he did this on his own time. Not NASCAR’s. And making anyone take a class about drinking that doesn’t want to is a total waste of time, they just go through the motions because they have to, but they get nothing out of it. He’s already been fined $10,000 and put on probation by his team and NASCAR.

By: Keith

Keith — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:08:26 +0000

If the laws regarding DUI in North Carolina are the same as in most states this could cost AJ more than most people. Some states require lose of license and community service and fines and you must hire a lawyer. Some states require jail time and it must be done on weekends and what would this do to AJ’S career. Nascar and every other Corporation should not be involved in anyone’s personal business unless it affects their job performance or the ability to show up to work and do your job. To the author of this blog should you not be able to write this article because you got a DUI and be made to grovel to the public about how sorry and wrong you were and beg for forgiveness and be put on probation before you are allowed to write again. This is between AJ and the State of North Carolina and we should all butt out for now.

By: josie

josie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:58:39 +0000

I think what I am saying..(and believe me sometimes it’s hard to decipher what’s in my mind)..is with as many questions as there out there in NASCAR..heck in life..there are even more so called “solutions”. Sometimes I really get fed up with NASCAR..”why can’t they fix this..why can’t they change that..aren’t they listening to us fans..blah blah blah”..but reading Jayskis daily..I see there are SOOOO many different issues out there the media, fans, drivers, owners, sponsors etc etc want addressed..and it gets so confusing..I see no beginning and no end to it all! I see no right or no wrong. I see no bad and no good. It’s just gotten to be all one big blur. AND that to me is the problem..NASCAR has gotten to be a mess…a mess other sports don’t seem to have themselves in. I don’t know if it’s because there are so many more factors required in this sport than most (i.e. instead of just a stick and ball, a standard arena and some fans ..you have cars and motors and drivers and tracks..weather is a huge factor..sponsorships huge..east coast west coast..single teams multi teams..all sizes and shapes of tracks..not fans of just two teams at one venue but fans of 43 teams..vendors..promotors..teams families..old style new style..a 36 race way too long season..the ever loving CHASE….CUP, Camping World, Truck Series). It’s a wonder NASCAR can get one race together and manage to trudge across the US and put on another one. It’s all gotten to be too much. Maybe the “powers that be” in NASCAR need to get their “groove back” put a little balance back in their lives..in NASCAR..some Zen…drink green tea…yoga…breathing exercises.. Maybe NASCAR has gotten to big for their “big boy pants” and has taken on too much..given themselves too much power..and it’s all falling apart. A step back..deep breath..and a really good overview might go along way for them to start revamping and repairing some of the things needed to bring this sport back to it’s glory. AND sorry NASCAR..you may have to stop..for just an instant..trying to stuff more green in your pockets (hey I know it’s a business…but it’s already been very good to your family) and start shelling out some cash and some legitimate ideas to help the teams and sponsors and fans fix the wrongs created by you. We’ve hung in there this long…it’s up to NASCAR whether we cut the cord and find something else to occupy our Sundays.

By: Hawk

Hawk — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:40:35 +0000

NASCAR’s double standard with alcohol vs. illegal and “band” drugs is problematic. If AJ pleads guilty or is convicted of DUI, he should be suspended for at least one or two races and he should have to undergo some form of alcohol counseling whether he is convicted or not. I don’t want Allmendinger to loose his job, but I think NASCAR has to recognize that alcohol abuse is ever bit as dangerous as illegal drug abuse and often times more destructive because of a lack of social stigma. I’m aware that alcohol doesn’t carry the social stigma that illegal and some legal drugs carry, but NASCAR needs to maintain a consistent policy when drivers and others commit illegal acts. I like to drink a beer now and again–and maybe the DUI laws have become a bit draconian in the last decade or so—but I looked up Allmendinger’s weight and used an alcohol calculator to raise his blood alcohol level to 0.08 in two hours worth of drinking, and he would have had to have had a least five or six drinks. This wasn’t, “oh I had a couple of drinks before I got in the car.” This incident involved a lot of drinking, and AJ put his life and the lives of his community at risk. I hope he gets help.

By: Author

Author — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:18:32 +0000

@Josie. If what you’re implying is that life is complicated, then yes, that’s what I am saying.

By: josie

josie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:06:02 +0000

So let me see if I have this all…Dega…we love it..but we hate it..it’s a great race to watch..but boy it sucked! It needs fixing..but can it be? We have to wait and see.. On AJ..we love him..but he did wrong. AJ needs to be punished..but in what way? He needs to repent..but will he? So what we are saying here is there is good and bad with both issues..we can’t agree..but we don’t disagree..we all know what we want to happen..but will it? I think that about sums it all up!