DWI doesn't sideline Allmendinger

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NASCAR breath test awaits Allmendinger before practice

TALLADEGA, Ala. - Sprint Cup driver AJ Allmendinger found himself under intense scrutiny on Friday after his driving while impaired arrest this week.

Although NASCAR and his Richard Petty Motorsports team are allowing him to drive in Sunday's race at Talladega, NASCAR forced Allmendinger to take and pass a Breathalyzer test before he could participate in Friday's practice sessions.

Allmendinger was also assessed a $10,000 fine by his team and placed on team probation through the end of next season. NASCAR had already placed Allmendinger on probation on Thursday through the end of this season.

NASCAR briefs: McGrew, Junior stick

Lance McGrew had the interim tag removed from his crew chief title Friday when Hendrick Motorsports said he'll stay with Dale Earnhardt Jr. next season.

McGrew replaced Tony Eury Jr. in late May in an effort to save Earnhardt's sinking season. Team owner Rick Hendrick used the rest of the year to evaluate the No. 88 team, and decided McGrew is the best fit for the long-term direction of NASCAR's most popular driver.

Allmendinger fallout: Sprint Cup driver A.J. Allmendinger found himself under intense scrutiny Friday after an arrest this week for driving while impaired.

Don't blame NASCAR for all of Talladega's troubles

I’ve always maintained that particularly in NASCAR, perception is always treated more credibly than reality.

For instance, you can still hear the fans’ outrage this week in NASCAR about what kind of racing they saw last Sunday at Talladega, Ala.

I’ve been covering this sport for 12 years and been to every Sprint Cup race at Talladega and I can tell you 90-percent of them have been exactly the same.

Navratilova lumps Agassi with Clemens

Martina Navratilova drew a parallel Thursday between Andre Agassi and Roger Clemens, saying she's shocked the eight-time Grand Slam champion lied about drug use.

Agassi's upcoming autobiography contains an admission he used crystal meth in 1997 and failed a drug test -- a result he says was thrown out after he lied by saying he "unwittingly" took the substance.

"Shocking," Navratilova said Thursday from Sarasota, Fla., in a phone interview. "Not as much shock that he did it as shock he lied about it and didn't own up to it. He's up there with Roger Clemens, as far as I'm concerned. He owned up to it (in the book), but it doesn't help now."

Raceday at Talladega | Line 'em up and let 'em go

Observations

Depending on who you ask in the media center, the garage or the grandstands, the cars here are either too fast or too slow, the racing conditions are either too dangerous or too safe, the competition is either exceptional or non-existent, and the drivers are either two bland or too aggressive. And people wonder why there are problems.

Some people actually think it was wrong for NASCAR to give AJ Allmendinger a Breathalyzer test before he got in his car Friday. Excuse me? The guy admits to drinking while driving somebody doesn't think it's prudent to ensure he's not doing it at the track?