Allmendinger arrested for drunk driving

Schwartz Fan · 10-29-2009

Allmendinger arrested for drunk driving

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AP)—NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger was arrested early Thursday on a charge of drunken driving.

Mooresville police said Allmendinger failed a field sobriety test after he was pulled over.

Allmendinger, who drives the No. 44 for Richard Petty Motorsports, said in a statement he had drinks with dinner and made a mistake by driving afterward.

“I honestly felt fine, but I obviously should have erred more on the side of caution, particularly given what I do for a living,” Allmendinger said. “It was a bad judgment call and I apologize for that.”

RPM officials also released a statement.

“I am deeply disappointed this has happened,” team co-owner Richard Petty said. “AJ has accepted full responsibility for his actions and will work to make this right. On behalf of everyone at Richard Petty Motorsports we sincerely apologize to our fans and partners.”

Allmendinger is a major factor in RPM’s long-range plans, and team officials told The Associated Press that Allmendinger was going to be moved into Petty’s famed No. 43 next season. Best Buy is expected to sponsor the car.

It’s not clear how his arrest may affect that relationship. Petty routinely shunned alcohol sponsorship, and refused to allow his teams to participate in NASCAR’s second-tier series when it was sponsored by Busch.

“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,” Allmendinger said. “Just don’t risk it. I will do my best to make it right and use this to learn myself and hopefully educate others.”

Allmendinger arrested for drunk driving - NASCAR - Yahoo! Sports

Schwartz Fan · 10-30-2009

AJ Allmendinger fined, placed on probation by Richard Petty Motorsports
By Bob Pockrass

.TALLADEGA, Ala. - Richard Petty Motorsports driver AJ Allmendinger, whose arrest on the charge of driving while impaired has resulted in his being put on probation by NASCAR through the end of 2009 and by his team through the 2010 season, had to pass a breath test before NASCAR Sprint Cup practice Friday. Allmendinger again apologized as well.

“Obviously it was my fault,” said Allmendinger, who was cited by Mooresville (N.C.) Police on Thursday for having a blood alcohol content level of 0.08 percent, according to police reports. “It was a bad decision. I wish I could take it back. I’d do anything to be able to take it back, but that’s life, you can’t. So 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 that you don’t have to have a ton of drinks to [be] drunk.

“It only takes a little bit and you’re over the legal limit. Hopefully I can do that and I just apologize to my family, everybody at Richard Petty Motorsports that puts all the hard work in, [and] all the sponsors that have supported me.”

By announcing that he was put on probation through next year, RPM indicated that Allmendinger will keep his job. The team also fined him $10,000, which will be donated to charity.

“I feel very fortunate that I get the opportunity to still do what I love to do and come here and race cars,” Allmendinger said in a short interview session with reporters at Talladega Superspeedway. “I’m not in the position to ask questions. I have to go along with whatever is doled out to me. … Hopefully it doesn’t [impact my career]. Hopefully I can go out there and show people that I can learn from it. People do get second chances.

“The biggest thing for me is trying to educate people and build from my mistakes. It’s not the first mistake I’ve ever made. It’s the biggest mistake I’ve made to this magnitude.”

Allmendinger said he understood NASCAR asking him to take a breath test and didn’t question any of the penalties imposed.

“I respect the punishment and everything I have to do to gain the trust back of NASCAR and everybody that is out there racing with me,” Allmendinger said. “That’s not the best feeling in the world, but at the same point, I respect that I have to go do it, I understand and I have no problem with that.”

Allmendinger repeated much of his statement from Thursday, in which he said that he thought he was not impaired.

“I just had a couple of drinks, had a couple 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 thought I was OK to drive home. I unfortunately got pulled over and it went from there.”

Before speaking about the incident, Allmendinger changed out of his uniform and wore a Richard Petty Motorsports shirt. The team positioned him away from the team hauler and none of the sponsors showed in the background of his interview.

“We are disappointed with his actions,” the Richard Petty Motorsports statement read. “AJ has told us that he has accepted full responsibility for his actions and will do what is right. We have placed AJ on probation through the end of the 2010 racing season. In addition, he will be fined $10,000, which will be donated to charity.”

Anheuser-Busch, the sponsor through its Budweiser brand of RPM driver Kasey Kahne, issued a statement on the issue as well.

“Richard Petty Motorsports is a great partner in our efforts to promote responsible drinking, and they have communicated to us their own disappointment regarding this matter,” said Kathy Casso, vice president of corporate social responsibility for Anheuser-Busch. “We are adamantly opposed to drunk driving and any incident of it is a serious issue. We hope this will serve as a reminder of the importance of making responsible choices.”

AJ Allmendinger fined, placed on probation by Richard Petty Motorsports - Sprint Cup Series | NASCAR Racing News - SceneDaily.com

Scooters · 10-31-2009

Considering the number of sponsors whose products are alcohol, I think this is a good PR move by both NASCAR and Petty.

We all know what 'probation' means in NASCAR so while it sounds impressive it is akin to telling a teenager "You are grounded unless there is someplace you want to go."

revvinjim · 10-31-2009

Yeah, way to keep Budweiser on board!

recurve · 11-04-2009

Does anybody think that J.J.needs some advice from Micheal Waltrip or Brian France on what to do to quietly take care of this matter ??

Scooters · 11-04-2009

J. J. might not but A. J. could get a few hints. But IMO, the way he handled himself with the media was spot on.

Schwartz Fan · 12-22-2009

AJ Allmendinger pleads no contest, gets community service for DWI
By Bob Pockrass

Richard Petty Motorsports driver AJ Allmendinger pleaded no contest in North Carolina District Court on Friday to a misdemeanor charge of driving while impaired stemming from a traffic stop Oct. 29.

He was given a 60-day suspended sentence, 18 months unsupervised probation and 24 hours of community service, according to the Iredell County clerk’s office. He was granted limited driving privileges and also had to pay a $100 fine plus court costs.

Allmendinger was stopped at 1:12 a.m. for failing to stay in his lane on North Carolina Highway 150 in Mooresville, N.C., according to police records. The police report says he had a blood alcohol content level of 0.08 percent, which is the legal level for impairment in North Carolina.

A no-contest plea means that a person does not admit nor deny guilt but is not contesting the charge. It is treated, in terms of sentencing, most often as a guilty plea. According to the clerk’s office, Allmendinger was convicted of a level 5 DWI, which is the least severe of North Carolina DWI offenses.

A day after the arrest, Allmendinger took responsibility, saying that he had a few drinks.

“Obviously it was my fault,” Allmendinger said Oct. 30. “It was a bad decision. I wish I could take it back. I’d do anything to be able to take it back, but that’s life. You can’t. So 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 that you don’t have to have a ton of drinks to [be] drunk.”

RPM put Allmendinger on probation through 2010 and fined him $10,000, which will be donated to charity.

AJ Allmendinger pleads no contest, gets community service for DWI - Sprint Cup Series | NASCAR Racing News - SceneDaily.com

10-29-2009	#1 (permalink)
Schwartz Fan Co-Administrator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The flatlands...Where dirt is for farming, clay is for racin' and asphalt is for gettin there!!! Posts: 10,263	Allmendinger arrested for drunk driving Allmendinger arrested for drunk driving MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AP)—NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger was arrested early Thursday on a charge of drunken driving. Mooresville police said Allmendinger failed a field sobriety test after he was pulled over. Allmendinger, who drives the No. 44 for Richard Petty Motorsports, said in a statement he had drinks with dinner and made a mistake by driving afterward. “I honestly felt fine, but I obviously should have erred more on the side of caution, particularly given what I do for a living,” Allmendinger said. “It was a bad judgment call and I apologize for that.” RPM officials also released a statement. “I am deeply disappointed this has happened,” team co-owner Richard Petty said. “AJ has accepted full responsibility for his actions and will work to make this right. On behalf of everyone at Richard Petty Motorsports we sincerely apologize to our fans and partners.” Allmendinger is a major factor in RPM’s long-range plans, and team officials told The Associated Press that Allmendinger was going to be moved into Petty’s famed No. 43 next season. Best Buy is expected to sponsor the car. It’s not clear how his arrest may affect that relationship. Petty routinely shunned alcohol sponsorship, and refused to allow his teams to participate in NASCAR’s second-tier series when it was sponsored by Busch. “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,” Allmendinger said. “Just don’t risk it. I will do my best to make it right and use this to learn myself and hopefully educate others.” Allmendinger arrested for drunk driving - NASCAR - Yahoo! Sports __________________

10-30-2009	#2 (permalink)
Schwartz Fan Co-Administrator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The flatlands...Where dirt is for farming, clay is for racin' and asphalt is for gettin there!!! Posts: 10,263	AJ Allmendinger fined, placed on probation by Richard Petty Motorsports By Bob Pockrass .TALLADEGA, Ala. - Richard Petty Motorsports driver AJ Allmendinger, whose arrest on the charge of driving while impaired has resulted in his being put on probation by NASCAR through the end of 2009 and by his team through the 2010 season, had to pass a breath test before NASCAR Sprint Cup practice Friday. Allmendinger again apologized as well. “Obviously it was my fault,” said Allmendinger, who was cited by Mooresville (N.C.) Police on Thursday for having a blood alcohol content level of 0.08 percent, according to police reports. “It was a bad decision. I wish I could take it back. I’d do anything to be able to take it back, but that’s life, you can’t. So 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 that you don’t have to have a ton of drinks to [be] drunk. “It only takes a little bit and you’re over the legal limit. Hopefully I can do that and I just apologize to my family, everybody at Richard Petty Motorsports that puts all the hard work in, [and] all the sponsors that have supported me.” By announcing that he was put on probation through next year, RPM indicated that Allmendinger will keep his job. The team also fined him $10,000, which will be donated to charity. “I feel very fortunate that I get the opportunity to still do what I love to do and come here and race cars,” Allmendinger said in a short interview session with reporters at Talladega Superspeedway. “I’m not in the position to ask questions. I have to go along with whatever is doled out to me. … Hopefully it doesn’t [impact my career]. Hopefully I can go out there and show people that I can learn from it. People do get second chances. “The biggest thing for me is trying to educate people and build from my mistakes. It’s not the first mistake I’ve ever made. It’s the biggest mistake I’ve made to this magnitude.” Allmendinger said he understood NASCAR asking him to take a breath test and didn’t question any of the penalties imposed. “I respect the punishment and everything I have to do to gain the trust back of NASCAR and everybody that is out there racing with me,” Allmendinger said. “That’s not the best feeling in the world, but at the same point, I respect that I have to go do it, I understand and I have no problem with that.” Allmendinger repeated much of his statement from Thursday, in which he said that he thought he was not impaired. “I just had a couple of drinks, had a couple 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 thought I was OK to drive home. I unfortunately got pulled over and it went from there.” Before speaking about the incident, Allmendinger changed out of his uniform and wore a Richard Petty Motorsports shirt. The team positioned him away from the team hauler and none of the sponsors showed in the background of his interview. “We are disappointed with his actions,” the Richard Petty Motorsports statement read. “AJ has told us that he has accepted full responsibility for his actions and will do what is right. We have placed AJ on probation through the end of the 2010 racing season. In addition, he will be fined $10,000, which will be donated to charity.” Anheuser-Busch, the sponsor through its Budweiser brand of RPM driver Kasey Kahne, issued a statement on the issue as well. “Richard Petty Motorsports is a great partner in our efforts to promote responsible drinking, and they have communicated to us their own disappointment regarding this matter,” said Kathy Casso, vice president of corporate social responsibility for Anheuser-Busch. “We are adamantly opposed to drunk driving and any incident of it is a serious issue. We hope this will serve as a reminder of the importance of making responsible choices.” AJ Allmendinger fined, placed on probation by Richard Petty Motorsports - Sprint Cup Series \| NASCAR Racing News - SceneDaily.com __________________

10-31-2009	#3 (permalink)
Scooters VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 7,461	Considering the number of sponsors whose products are alcohol, I think this is a good PR move by both NASCAR and Petty. We all know what 'probation' means in NASCAR so while it sounds impressive it is akin to telling a teenager "You are grounded unless there is someplace you want to go." __________________ Have you ever felt like doing this to someone?

10-31-2009	#4 (permalink)
revvinjim Resident Old Fart Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 3,024	Yeah, way to keep Budweiser on board! __________________ Never argue with an idiot--people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

11-04-2009	#6 (permalink)
Scooters VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 7,461	J. J. might not but A. J. could get a few hints. But IMO, the way he handled himself with the media was spot on. __________________ Have you ever felt like doing this to someone?

11-04-2009	#5 (permalink)
recurve Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 91	Does anybody think that J.J.needs some advice from Micheal Waltrip or Brian France on what to do to quietly take care of this matter ??

12-22-2009	#7 (permalink)
Schwartz Fan Co-Administrator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The flatlands...Where dirt is for farming, clay is for racin' and asphalt is for gettin there!!! Posts: 10,263	AJ Allmendinger pleads no contest, gets community service for DWI By Bob Pockrass Richard Petty Motorsports driver AJ Allmendinger pleaded no contest in North Carolina District Court on Friday to a misdemeanor charge of driving while impaired stemming from a traffic stop Oct. 29. He was given a 60-day suspended sentence, 18 months unsupervised probation and 24 hours of community service, according to the Iredell County clerk’s office. He was granted limited driving privileges and also had to pay a $100 fine plus court costs. Allmendinger was stopped at 1:12 a.m. for failing to stay in his lane on North Carolina Highway 150 in Mooresville, N.C., according to police records. The police report says he had a blood alcohol content level of 0.08 percent, which is the legal level for impairment in North Carolina. A no-contest plea means that a person does not admit nor deny guilt but is not contesting the charge. It is treated, in terms of sentencing, most often as a guilty plea. According to the clerk’s office, Allmendinger was convicted of a level 5 DWI, which is the least severe of North Carolina DWI offenses. A day after the arrest, Allmendinger took responsibility, saying that he had a few drinks. “Obviously it was my fault,” Allmendinger said Oct. 30. “It was a bad decision. I wish I could take it back. I’d do anything to be able to take it back, but that’s life. You can’t. So 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 that you don’t have to have a ton of drinks to [be] drunk.” RPM put Allmendinger on probation through 2010 and fined him $10,000, which will be donated to charity. AJ Allmendinger pleads no contest, gets community service for DWI - Sprint Cup Series \| NASCAR Racing News - SceneDaily.com __________________

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