NASCAR running thread

Allmendinger was a pretty solid open-wheel driver before going to fenders (and attempted to start a team this year as a part-owner, but didn't get an engine lease). IndyCar has several pretty good young Americans, if this is career-altering, he'd be a pretty good shoe in an open-wheel car. Not saying the fans there would be more forgiving, but it would be a few years in a smaller spotlight and yet be pretty competitive right away.

 

Came from Toronto ... Penske had flown there from Europe ...

But now this has come out, and the timeline puts a whole new spin on things ... AJ was told SIX HOURS before the announcement, but NASCAR's medical officer didn't tell her own employers until 2 1/2 hours later? And according to Jenna's story, NASCAR informed Penske's people soon after that ... if that's the case, then my original statement (that someone in Penske's organization really dragged their feet before calling Hornish) still holds ...

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/penske-waiting-more-allmendinger-211742465--nascar.html;_ylt=Aibmbld3vkfiTEWol18GGV3ov7YF;_ylu=X3oDMTUxbTZpZzRtBG1pdANMSVNUUyBNaXhlZCBMaXN0IE5BU0NBUiBIZWFkbGluZXMEcGtnAzFmMTAzOTNkLTUzZDAtM2MzOS04YTc2LTgyNjE1NGQ3ODE2OARwb3MDMgRzZWMDTWVkaWFCTGlzdE1peGVkTFBDQUZhbGxiYWNrVGVtcAR2ZXIDZDdmM2U1MzAtYzk0NC0xMWUxLWJiZGUtYmU0OTQxOWRjN2Q1;_ylg=X3oDMTFrdm45a243BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANuYXNjYXIEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3

 

Well, by that timeline, Penske people were in the meeting with Allmendinger. So call it 3 p.m. It's another hour in there, but still can't do anything until the plane gets there.

 

If I'm Penske, I would be MAJORLY PISSED that I had to hear this from NASCAR, and not from AJ ... or that AJ was told first ...

 

Well, again, according to the link you posted, Allmendinger and a "senior Penske official" were told together. So not really sure where you're getting that from.

EDIT: Never mind, I'm the idiot. I missed the part about them telling him at noon. Pay no attention to the stupid girl.

 

Stupid -- no ...

I was surprised that Jenna didn't play that higher in the story ...

 

I still think any time after about noon on Friday was too late on NASCAR's part.

 

This is just another NASCAR frame job by the same folks that wrecked Jeremy Mayfield's career!

 

So if Allmendinger tests positive for marijuana, Daytona will have had a pothole issue and a whole pot issue.

 

Boooooooooooooooooo.

 

How extensive is NASCAR’s banned substances list? Any realistic chance Allmendinger popped on something innocuous? This will not end well, based on the track record of those who have tested positive in the past (Hmiel, Grubb, Mayfield).

 

The Charlotte Observer has a copy of the drug policy from 2009 (which was part of the Mayfield lawsuit):

http://media.charlotteobserver.com/images/pdf/nascarpolicy.pdf

It's - and this should come as little shock - hopelessly vague. Basically, they can test/suspend you for any "illegal drugs", alcohol or the "misuse of a prescription or over-the-counter medication."

According to Jayski, there is a list of banned substances for crew members but not for drivers:

http://www.jayski.com/teams/drug-policy.htm