Allen Johnson DQd for Alcohol

[Nunz]

Great post Randy, and I'm very sorry about your brother, that's way too young. Also, great policy, I think that's the smartest way to handle it, there's plenty of opportunity to relax and enjoy yourself AFTER the event. On another note, besides all the legalities and rules and so on (obviously safety is the biggest issue here), I'm surprised anyone, especially a driver, would not adhere to a strict race weekend policy like Randy's for another very important reason: Performance. I don't have exact data, but I know that I have read that in athletes, alcohol can have detrimental effects on performance long after it was consumed. Like days, not hours. And with racing as competitive as it is these days, I know I wouldn't want to have ANYTHING in my system that would hurt my ability to perform.

 

[Sophia]

I'm really surprised NHRA announced this DQ based on a blow toy and not a blood test. Bottom line is that they aren't very accurate and mouthwash has proven to affect them. It is a pretty serious matter and I would think there could be legal implications. I bet NHRA hears a little from Mopar...maybe a lot.

Don't know AJ, but he is one of my favorite drivers since I can remember. This is lame.

 

[TR]

There is a clear and definitive appeal policy. He did not invoke it.



You need to brush up on your drag racing history.



And you also need to go to a MADD meeting one day and then come back and talk about "liberal b.s. driven political correctness".

I understand where your coming from, you don't understand where I'm coming from. I do not tolerate any drinking on our crew until after the race and then maybe the crew will have a beer, the person driving the tow vehicle is not allowed not even one beer or whatever. What I'm trying to say is that equipment malfunctions. Hell maybe Johnson is a full blown drunk who knows. And for the record Chris I have had friends and relatives that were killed due to drunk drivers. Get off your pulpit, Reverend Williams.

 

[clwill]

What I'm trying to say is that equipment malfunctions.

And there is an appeal procedure he could have used if he felt that was the case, or if it would help. He did not. Sounds like someone who was caught, knew it, and just resigned himself to the consequences.

 

[Bullard Anderson]

After getting caught up on the posts:

I think the zero tolerance rule is great. I mean the NHRA can't have a morning test, then say he only blew a .034 (example) so he's ok to roll.

And I think the alcohol shouldn't be allowed in the pit area. To many moving parts.

 

[Crash]

I am stunned by the amount of pages this has turned into. It really is a cut and dried story. AJ (one of my favorite racers) knew what the rules were, knew what the risks were, and had a bunch of drinks with dinner. That is on him. He obviously thought he was good to go, or he wouldn't have submitted for the test first thing in the morning. That is also on him, whether it is due to ignorance as to the time it takes for your body to process alcohol, or bottle induced amnesia as to how much he really had to drink (AJ owning up to it immediately and decisively is also on him, in a good way) Doesn't matter, he failed the test. NHRA has a Zero tolerance policy. It is not about being PC, it is not about "liberalism" or anything of the sort. It is a rule, black and white, and he broke it. End of story. Prople saying that it doesn't help safety haven't thought it through. If you walked in to work every day, knowing that if you had .01 BAC, you woud be executed on the spot, would you EVER drink the night before? No, and most people wouldn't, therefore decreasing the number of people coming to work with a residual buzz, and increasing workplace safety...that is an extreme example, but sometimes thick skulls need a hammer to get through to them.

 

[tas304]

I find it difficult to believe that people on this site think that this is a PC issue, for them I pose the question of what should the limit be to not drive a race car? I will admit that the machines can be inaccurate at times, however I know in the state where I live that the machines have to be tested for accuracy on a weekly basis, and that is in order for the test to be admissible in court. I will admit that I have no idea what the tracks policy is for testing the accuracy of the machine. I would assume that the machine was tested before they used it just to make sure it was accurate...just my .02

 

[DrRocket]

............I will admit that the machines can be inaccurate at times, however I know in the state where I live that the machines have to be tested for accuracy on a weekly basis, and that is in order for the test to be admissible in court. ...................

In Minnesota, Breathalyzer results are not admissible in court. They're only used to establish probable cause to administer a blood test. They were deemed to be unreliable. Only blood test results are allowed in trial testimony.

 

[glofria]

I am stunned by the amount of pages this has turned into. It really is a cut and dried story. AJ (one of my favorite racers) knew what the rules were, knew what the risks were, and had a bunch of drinks with dinner. That is on him. He obviously thought he was good to go, or he wouldn't have submitted for the test first thing in the morning. That is also on him, whether it is due to ignorance as to the time it takes for your body to process alcohol, or bottle induced amnesia as to how much he really had to drink (AJ owning up to it immediately and decisively is also on him, in a good way) Doesn't matter, he failed the test. NHRA has a Zero tolerance policy. It is not about being PC, it is not about "liberalism" or anything of the sort. It is a rule, black and white, and he broke it. End of story. Prople saying that it doesn't help safety haven't thought it through. If you walked in to work every day, knowing that if you had .01 BAC, you woud be executed on the spot, would you EVER drink the night before? No, and most people wouldn't, therefore decreasing the number of people coming to work with a residual buzz, and increasing workplace safety...that is an extreme example, but sometimes thick skulls need a hammer to get through to them.

My feelings exactly. He either knew or should have known the rules ahead of time and either misjudged or miscalculated his actions. It's ashame that it happen, but these things happen in everyday life. Please don't put the guys and gals on a high pedestal they are humans who make mistakes like you and I do.

Nancy, life is good, everything is grand. I have no complaints. Yes, Nancy and I ran around in diapers together.

 

[Rollout96]

But, as the only CDL driver at my company...(meaning ALL the randoms are ME!) I understand the need to hold people accountable.

Well, that doesn't sound "RANDOM" at ALL!!!!!!

 

[nitrojunky]

Someone may have acknowledged this and I missed the post (and if I did I apologize for being redundent) but be clear Allen had 24 hours to comply to this test. Do you think if he honestly thought he would have ANY alcohol in his system that he wouldn't have put it off??? He was confident that he was clear from the evening before. This wasn't as much poor judgement as dumb a$$ luck. He didn't make any excuses, he knows what this could've just cost him and his team and I respect the he** out him for standing up without excuse. He backs the rule as I think any of us that participate in the sport do but have no doubt that every driver will think twice about cocktails during a race weekend. This seriously could've happened to just about anyone out there. I support Allen Johnson the person/racer and hope it doesn't cost the team their shot at the championship. JMO

 

[.]

Thanks Cheryl !!

Brent, I was incorrect in my original response. However, I knew there were ramifications towards the CDL even if you were driving your weekly grocery getter. Infractions apply to all licenses you hold, they just get tighter when driving the vehicle that requires a CDL.

Thanks for setting the record straight.

Sorry if I came off as rude, that wasn't my intent, but I just knew I'd asked this numerous times of several law enforcement authorities and the DMV and was told the same thing every time. Just as Cheryl posted, getting a DUI or any other serious moving violation in a "normal" vehicle can get your CDL yanked too. A CDL is just a drivers license, only with more endorsements. Get it suspended for anything, you lose it for everything.

 

[Toejam]

For me I have a rule that applies to my driver and crew. If you can't go a race weekend without a drink (includes a beer) then obviously your drinking is more important to you than our racing. I am responsible for the safety of our driver and equipment. I don't want any leftover effects of a Friday or Saturday night "binge" in my pit. If we have a problem (crash, injury, crew brain fade, etc) then I can say everyone was as sharp as they could be and did their best rather than wondering in the back of my mind if someone had a few too many some time during the race weekend.

PS, My brother died at age 46 as a drunk. I have no tolerance at all. Stay home if you can't go to the event without a drink.

RG

Randy, have you ever canned a crew member for such actions!

 

[Jay]

Not to shift this to a political commentary but ... Bob, if its good enough for any law enforcement to put you behind bars (blood tests are not a required backup) ... its equally as good in this case. Same rules apply at alomost any company with a similar policy. Zero tolerance, 2 samples, 1 chance.

Unless you believe you have better insight than the entire legal and law enforcement arena. This should not become a liberal debate on the fairness of the test.

Fact: AJ admitted to having several drinks the night before. He made a conscious decision knowing full well his chances of being chosen on any given weekend were as good as the next guy.
Fact: AJ was randomly chosen to take the test. I have and I was scared ****less after having 3 beers the night before.
Fact: AJ failed the test and took full responsibility for his actions and has moved on to Dallas (hopefully).

This is actually not accurate, Jim. The breathalyzer is simply utilized to establish probable cause for the actual test. Now, if you fail or refuse the test, you can get yourself in a pickle, but the results of the breathalyzer test in itself is not admissible in court.

 

[Muddy]

And you also need to go to a MADD meeting one day and then come back and talk about "liberal b.s. driven political correctness".

I went to a MADD meeting once but they didn't appreciate my t-shirt:

DAMM

Drunks aginst Mad Mothers

 

[Rooster]

For me I have a rule that applies to my driver and crew. If you can't go a race weekend without a drink (includes a beer) then obviously your drinking is more important to you than our racing. I am responsible for the safety of our driver and equipment. I don't want any leftover effects of a Friday or Saturday night "binge" in my pit. If we have a problem (crash, injury, crew brain fade, etc) then I can say everyone was as sharp as they could be and did their best rather than wondering in the back of my mind if someone had a few too many some time during the race weekend.

PS, My brother died at age 46 as a drunk. I have no tolerance at all. Stay home if you can't go to the event without a drink.

RG

You are "right on".... We have the same policies!!!!!!

 

[robslob]

This thread reminds me of a joke;
A racecar driver, a group of opinionated people, and a liberal walk into a bar....

 

[Randy]

Randy, have you ever canned a crew member for such actions!

Actually I have. But I'm also a second chance type of person. Over the years I've had 3 recovering (in the program) guys on my team. One of them just celebrated 25 years of sobriety. He appreciates the booze free atmosphere in our pit. You are free to stop by for a Diet Pepsi or bottled water any time!

I'm very up front about the rules. They may not work for everyone else's team, but that's the way we chose to operate.

After AJ's deal I'm sure more than a few of the drivers will give a little more thought to what they order to drink with dinner after the racing activities are over.

RG

 

[.]

Are you kidding!!!! Anyone with a CDL blows a .040 or better and your going to jail AND lose your license for a year. Anyone with a CDL the legal limit is HALF the regular legal limit. And that applies no matter what your driving.

That's not true. It's .04 only when you're driving a commercial vehicle. I have a commercial license, If I'm driving my personal car the legal limit for me is still .08.



Edit:
Disregard, I was tree'd by Brent Busch.

 

[Chi-Town Brown]

That's not true. It's .04 only when you're driving a commercial vehicle. I have a commercial license, If I'm driving my personal car the legal limit for me is still .08.



Edit:
Disregard, I was tree'd by Brent Busch.

WRONG At least in IL it is. May be different in Min. But I think you might want to make a phone call. I have a feeling you are going to ge a surprise. I have been a CDL class A license holder for over 20 years On MANY occasions I know of drivers in there personal vehicles get DUIs and be under .08. There isn't a double standard for a CDL holder. We are supposed to be Professionals in everything we drive.