NASCAR hands down suspension to Grubb after positive drug test

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 | 9:47 a.m.

NASCAR suspended Busch Series driver Kevin Grubb on Tuesday for violating the sanctioning body's substance abuse policy.

Grubb's suspension is for an indefinite period of time and he will not be reinstated until he "meets the terms and conditions set forth by NASCAR," the sanctioning body said in a statement. NASCAR will require Grubb to attend counseling and undergo periodic random testing in order to gain reinstatement.

"NASCAR has zero tolerance for any type of behavior that is in violation of our substance abuse policy," NASCAR president Mike Helton said in a prepared statement. "We have a moral responsibility to protect the integrity of our sport."

NASCAR did not disclose which substance or substances Grubb is suspected of abusing.

Grubb, 25, was to run a limited number of Busch Series races this season for Team Rensi, but was not entered in Saturday's Sam's Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway or the first two races of the season.

"I hate to hear that about Kevin; he's a good person and a really good driver," part-time Busch Series driver David Starr said. "I'm really shocked to hear about (his suspension) but my hat goes off to NASCAR. You know, we're out there running at speeds well in access of 150 miles an hour in most places and the zero tolerance is something I strongly believe in.

"To bring in drugs and alcohol to this environment is uncalled for and I think NASCAR does a good job policing that. It's an exciting sport, you have to trust you competitors out there, and to think one was not thinking or seeing clearly would bother me."

At the time the rule went into effect, Busch had competed in six NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races as a 16-year-old but was prohibited from racing in any of NASCAR's touring series until his 18th birthday. He spent the 2002 season racing in the American Speed Association series.

"NASCAR did what they had to do ... and they made the correct decision, I believe," Busch said. "At the time, I was very devastated ... but to have to go home and re-evaluate things and go run ASA was definitely a bigger learning experience than it was running my Late Models at my hometown (track).

"It gave me a lot more experience that I needed before I got into the professional racing as NASCAR such as the Craftsman Truck Series or Busch Series. It's one of those things where you look back now and you (say), 'well, it set me back but it gave me a lot of great experience that I needed.' "

Busch will be racing in Saturday's Sam's Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and also will attempt to qualify for Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup race.

Teresa Earnhardt and Speedway Motorsports Inc. chairman Bruton Smith are scheduled to attend the 1:30 p.m. ceremony, which will be held in the midway area behind the new grandstands. The ceremony will be open to the public.

The magazine estimated Smith's net worth at $1.2 billion. Microsoft chairman Bill Gates topped the list with an estimated net worth of $46.6 billion.

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