Re: AJ disqualified for failing a random alcohol test
[Re: Irun5snd8th]
#821468
10/05/10 09:06 AM
10/05/10 09:06 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
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BobR
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If you think there is not enough political BS in the NHRA for someone to go over and say "You might want to check him"; you might need to attend a few more NHRA events. Not saying that happened but its definitely a possibility. There is big time money involved in this sport and alot of bogus political crap comes with that money. Bottom line he got busted. Dont even want to think about how many sportsman racers still had alcohol in their system come 8:00 am though. Speaking of political crap, saw NHRA pull a nice one a couple weeks ago at the bracket finals. Was down watching the judging for best appearing car for Super Pro and heard one of the NHRA guys say it cant be a car from track x, y or z because they have already had a car win. Seriously???? If a track has 2 cars nice enough to win then both of the cars should get the award in their respective class. I am done with my rant
AJ had a lot to lose and he knew that he had a test to take. Seems odd to me that he could have misjudged his potential for failure. The NHRA has a zero tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol. AJ makes his living racing in the NHRA. He needs to be a lot smarter about this in the future.
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Re: AJ disqualified for failing a random alcohol test
[Re: cudasteve68]
#821470
10/05/10 02:04 PM
10/05/10 02:04 PM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,110 toledo, ohio
plasticfantastic
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Never hear anything of the staff getting pulled for tests??
probably because when John Doe who works the sticker trailer at an NHRA event, or is the guy that collects the chutes at top end blows a .028 and gets a day off work, no one cares and its not news worthy, there is a difference between working behind the scenes and not being a public figure and racing on national tv with sponsors and being one of the "faces" of a class.
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Re: AJ disqualified for failing a random alcohol test
[Re: BobR]
#821476
10/05/10 05:49 PM
10/05/10 05:49 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,586 Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana
ProStDodge
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Bob - Allen had drinks with dinner the night before the test. He did not realize there would still be residual alcohol in his system. Had he thought there would be a chance of any problem, he could have waited till later in the day to take the test, there was not a time limit on when it had to be taken that day.
He apologized to NHRA and the fans. Rules are Rules and he abides by them. This time he got bit for not being aware. He did not try to shift blame or argue that .02 is likely the level of a teaspoon of cough syrup would generate as well. I am quite sure he was very surprised at the test results and now that he "knows", it will never happen again.
I see no shame for having a few drinks on his own time in the evening, and have been guilty of it myself. And now that I know - I too will be more careful on race weekends.
Allen is a standup guy and LOVES his racing. As an NHRA track announcer and Safety tech inspector, I have had the opportunity to meet him a time or two (no, I doubt he would remember my name) and he is very pleasant. And he IS racing on his own dime with some sponsorship from Mopar at this time. For years he ran Mopar cars WITHOUT any sponsorship or support from Chrysler. He and his father are dyed-in-the-wool MOPAR fans!
I support Allen 100% - this incident was unfortunate, but should not create any disappointment in the racer himself!
Scott
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Re: AJ disqualified for failing a random alcohol test
[Re: TheOtherDodge]
#821479
10/05/10 11:00 PM
10/05/10 11:00 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,166 Left Coast
BobR
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How does "does not makes his living racing" and "racing on his own dime" relate?
He owns businesses in which is his source of primary income. He has sponsorship for racing, but that income is secondary.
He probably wouldn't race at this level without a sponsor. He won't get to race at all if this happens too often. My point is/was that he knows the rules that he has to follow to race professionally in the NHRA. Most major sponsors require similar accountability. I'm a little disappointed that he doesn't think enough of his profession or his fan base to make damned sure this didn't happen.
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Re: AJ disqualified for failing a random alcohol test
[Re: SCATPACK 1]
#821480
10/05/10 11:02 PM
10/05/10 11:02 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
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BobR
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So...he is racing on his own dime? REALLY doubt it.
Bob You are way wrong on this one. AJ does have some sponsorship from Chrysler for parts, but he foots the bill for everything else out of his business/pockets. Remember when he first started, back before he got the Amoco sponsor. He was footing 100% of the bill then. And has been covering most of it since that time. No deep pockets or Daddy War Bucks behind him like the Jegs car or the 2 Summitt cars. It still amazes me that Roy has been able to get the power they have.
May have been true at one time. Since Chrysler came aboard as his major he has had a good deal or he'd race for someone else.
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Re: AJ disqualified for failing a random alcohol test
[Re: pittsburghracer]
#821481
10/05/10 11:08 PM
10/05/10 11:08 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,166 Left Coast
BobR
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http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=215247#indextop.
Kind of dumb, Alan.
I for one BOB R. can't believe you had to drag this up again. Why don't we just hang A.J. and get it over with. I guess your perfect!!!! I don't think I am the only one glad that A.J. has stuck with the MOPAR brand and has not jumped ship. Thanks A.J. I forgive you and I'm not perfect either.
AJ and Robert Hight are the ONLY professional racers I give a damn about. I just heard that this happened when I got this week's dragster so I wasn't dragging it back up as far as I knew. I was also a big Wayne County fan until the "break in". That disappointed me as well. My point with this thread was to share some frustration not to disembowel anyone.
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Re: AJ disqualified for failing a random alcohol test
[Re: ProStDodge]
#821483
10/05/10 11:11 PM
10/05/10 11:11 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,166 Left Coast
BobR
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Bob - Allen had drinks with dinner the night before the test. He did not realize there would still be residual alcohol in his system. Had he thought there would be a chance of any problem, he could have waited till later in the day to take the test, there was not a time limit on when it had to be taken that day.
He apologized to NHRA and the fans. Rules are Rules and he abides by them. This time he got bit for not being aware. He did not try to shift blame or argue that .02 is likely the level of a teaspoon of cough syrup would generate as well. I am quite sure he was very surprised at the test results and now that he "knows", it will never happen again.
I see no shame for having a few drinks on his own time in the evening, and have been guilty of it myself. And now that I know - I too will be more careful on race weekends.
Allen is a standup guy and LOVES his racing. As an NHRA track announcer and Safety tech inspector, I have had the opportunity to meet him a time or two (no, I doubt he would remember my name) and he is very pleasant. And he IS racing on his own dime with some sponsorship from Mopar at this time. For years he ran Mopar cars WITHOUT any sponsorship or support from Chrysler. He and his father are dyed-in-the-wool MOPAR fans!
I support Allen 100% - this incident was unfortunate, but should not create any disappointment in the racer himself!
Scott
I support him too and am aware of the circumstances. Just seems to me that a professional racer in the middle of a championship run should be well aware of the stakes and the rules.
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Re: AJ disqualified for failing a random alcohol test
[Re: Thumperdart]
#821484
10/05/10 11:13 PM
10/05/10 11:13 PM
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BobR
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If they would have tested John Force and he failed, we would have never heard about it.
Hate to say that I totally believe that statement............can`t stand the man myself........at least the one I see on tv and can`t even imagine working for him. How about being banned from races for letting your daughter win PRETENDING you had problems. Gimme a break ....
Happens pretty often in team racing, Dom.
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