Hello again everyone,
I thought I should give more of an introduction. My name is Matt and I am currently pursuing a BFA in Acting and Directing at Central Michigan University. I will be writing in this blog about my experiences in the world of theater along with other important things in my life. Stock car racing and my deconversion from Christianity to Atheism will be popular topics, along with interesting things that happen in my life. I may also on very rare occasions discuss politics but it will not be a regular topic. I will post whenever I have something to write about and I hope you all will enjoy it.
On to more pressing manners. Like many NASCAR fans I was shocked to hear on Saturday that A.J. Allmendinger had been suspended from NASCAR for failing a random drug test. the ruling came down late Saturday and Penske Racing flew in their Nationwide Series driver Sam Hornish Jr. to pilot A.J.'s Shell/Pennzoil Dodge in Saturday's Coke Zero 400. NASCAR has yet to release what drug he tested positive for and as of now all we know is that he is working with the team to go through the process. My guess would be that he is waiting to have his B sample tested before making a public statement.
A driver testing positive for drugs is not a new thing in the world of NASCAR. The sanctioning body implemented a random drug testing policy after Camping World Truck Series driver Aaron Fike was arrested for possession of heroin in 2007 and he admitted to using the drug on race day. Shane Hmiel and Kevin Grubb were busted in previous years before the policy had been enacted. Hmiel went back to sprint cars after recovering from his addiction and was seriously injured in a 2010 crash at Terre Haute Action Track from which he is still recovering. Kevin Grubb never returned to NASCAR and tragically took his own life in 2009. The first big name to get busted was Jeremy Mayfield in 2008 he tested positive for crystal meth and fought his suspension for years. He has never returned and a couple of times a year it seems we hear about his various court battles over unpaid debts and his guard dogs attacking mail carriers.
A.J. Allmendinger has always come a cross as a wonderful human being, I have never heard a complaint about him from anyone. A young talent who was just starting to take off. But we also heard all the nice guy talk about Mayfield when he was first busted. As for my opinion I really hope that A.J. is a victim of a false positive test and if not I hope he follows NASCAR's Road to Recovery program and is reinstated. He is a great talent with a future in this sport and I hope he is able to stick around.
Until Next Time,
Matt
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