NASCAR today suspended Busch Series driver Kevin Grubb indefinitely for failing to comply with the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy. Grubb, 28 and driver of the #56 Chevy in the series, was suspended for failure to comply with the substance abuse policy and a refusal to submit to required testing. NASCAR’s statement did not say when the refusal to submit to a test took place. This is Grubb’s second offense and the second time he has been suspended indefinitely.(SceneDaily.com)(9-12-2006)
UPDATE: NASCAR suspended Kevin Grubb indefinitely on Tuesday because he refused to submit to a random drug test following the Busch Series race at Richmond. Grubb was suspended in March 2004 for failing a drug test, but agreed as part of his reinstatement this June to random testing. But when NASCAR officials approached him after Friday night’s Busch race, he twice refused to submit a sample, spokesman Jim Hunter said. “He did not give any reason Friday night, he just refused twice to submit to a test and part of his reinstatement was that he would agree,” Hunter said. “Our medical liaisons have experience and know what they are doing, and they explained the consequences to him several times.” Although Grubb wrecked on the first lap of the Busch race and finished last, Hunter said the test was random and NASCAR was not accusing him of being under the influence of any illegal substances.(Associated Press)(9-12-2006)
UPDATE 2: Grubb said the force of the accident, which came on Lap 2 in the Busch Series race, made things “foggy” shortly thereafter. He was treated and released from the infield care center after the crash. “I don’t remember most of being at the track,” Grubb said. “I had people pulling me in 20 different directions. I ended up leaving, from what I understand.” Grubb said he woke up Sunday morning, still feeling “terrible” and unable to remember what day it was. He went to the hospital and was diagnosed with a concussion. “I’m guessing that explains me acting crazy at the track,” Grubb said. “I didn’t know what was going on.” Grubb said he called NASCAR officials Monday morning when he heard of the suspension. He was directed to talk to Dr. David L. Black, who is in charge of NASCAR’s substance-abuse program. He set up the program for reinstatement that Grubb was on, and will be the person to set up a program if he were to try to be reinstated again. “I’ve been clean the whole time,” Grubb said. “The next day, once I found out all the things that happened, I offered to take it. I’m ready to put the ball in action. “I’m sure we’ll get something situated out of that. I worked very hard to get my life back to where it was. I don’t see it being thrown away in one night.”(Richmond Times-Dispatch)(9-12-2006)
