A NASCAR Winston West Series driver charged with drug possession after being pulled over in Flagler County during Speed Weeks pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning. Sammy Potashnick, 27, of Sikeston, Mo., was originally charged with possession of crack cocaine and illegal possession of prescription drugs. Last week, the crack cocaine charge was dropped when the State Attorney’s Office filed formal charges. Potashnick has publicly maintained his innocence. He did not appear at the arraignment, but attorney Michael Lambert entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(4-3-2002)
UPDATE: Suspended NASCAR driver Sammy Potashnick agreed to be evaluated for drugs and possibly undergo treatment during a court appearance Monday. He also pleaded no contest to the charge of illegal possession of hydrocodone — a prescription painkiller. In exchange, prosecutors said they will drop the charges against him. The program is common for first-time criminal offenders. Potashnick will be discharged after six months but must be evaluated. Potashnick, 27, of Sikeston, MO, a driver in the NASCAR Winston West Series, was arrested Feb. 14 and charged with possession of crack cocaine and possession of hydrocodone. It was later revised to one count of drug possession. Potashnick was suspended by NASCAR following his arrest, but his attorney Michael Lambert, said Potashnick is on track to be reinstated.(Daytona Beach News Journal), see more on this on my March 2002 BGN News Archive.(4-16-2002)
UPDATE 2 – Driver Re-instated: NASCAR Winston West Series and Weekly Racing Series Driver Sammy Potashnick returned to the track for last night’s NASCAR Super Late Model race at Mesa Marin Raceway. NASCAR has reinstated Potashnick’s license which was temporarily suspended in February due to inaccurate reports of drug possession. NASCAR reinstated Potashnick’s license following finalized legal proceedings and with confirmation of Potashnick’s negative drug screen results. There was in fact no charges of cocaine possession filed as some reports have said. Potashnick’s only offense was carrying prescription pain medication outside it’s prescribed container. That charge was dropped with proof of prescription presented. Potashnick is slated to run the both the ARCA race and NASCAR Winston West Series race at Kansas Speedway on June 1, however, may opt to compete in just one of the series’ races that weekend for equipment reasons. Potashnick will compete in numerous other Winston West Series and ARCA races with Crew Chief duties shared among Jerry Pitts and Mike Harvick. Potashnick also plans to run in as many local NASCAR Super Late races as his schedule and team budget will allow. His plans include competing in the next Super Late Model race at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, Calif. on May 18, as well as the Super Late Model race at Mesa Marin Raceway on May 25. A Response posted in a PR: NASCAR Winston West Series Driver and upcoming Busch Series Driver Sammy Potashnick has obtained legal council for the defense of alleged charges made against him in the Daytona Beach, Fla., area on February 14. To this point, there have been no comments made on behalf of Potashnick as advised by his lawyer. This will be the only comment made on behalf of Potashnick until all legal proceedings are final. To briefly summarize, Potashnick was the driver (at the time) of the rental car he rented for himself and some team members for the final week of the Daytona Speed Weeks. When Potashnick picked up the car, the car rental agency apologized that they had not yet had time to clean out the car from the time the last renter had returned the vehicle. Numerous team members and associates also had use of the car over the course of the few days Potashnick had the rental due to opposite Speed Weeks schedules at all hours of the day. The doors to the rental car had not been locked at all times. Although Potashnick was not yet scheduled to make his Busch Series Debut, he was in Daytona to meet up with the team he would be joining forces with later in the 2002 season. After making a wrong turn onto an unmarked road in an unfamiliar area, Potashnick pulled off the side of the road to correct the mistake he had made. A policeman pulled up at the same time. When asked if there were any drugs or alcohol in the vehicle, Potashnick told the officer about the prescribed pain medicine in his pocket. Potashnick was cited for having the medication out of its prescribed container. Potashnick has no knowledge of anything else found in the car, nor did he admit to being under the influence of any drugs as one report has stated. Cocaine was allegedly found in a cigarette box deep in the console of the rental car. Potashnick does not smoke cigarettes. Potashnick has tested negative for all drugs (including pain killers) on several drug tests since the allegations. Until then, Potashnick will not allow tainted reports to bring his spirits down. He will continue to make preparations for a transition to the NASCAR Busch Series later in the 2002 season. New Team Owner Jay Robinson stands behind Potashnick 100 percent and looks forward to the time when Potashnick will in fact drive the #49 car.(PR)(5-14-2002)
