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Filed under: Nationwide Series, NASCAR

Newly reinstated by NASCAR after a failed drug test this summer, former NASCAR series champion Randy LaJoie opened up to FanHouse about the fateful May night he smoked marijuana, the ensuing NASCAR-mandated treatment since his June 22 suspension, his future in racing and his opportunity to teach his teenage children about owning up and making right.

"It was an isolated incident, but I was guilty as charged, no excuses,'' the two-time Nationwide (formerly Busch) Series champion LaJoie said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

"I called NASCAR before it all came out even and said, 'I did it. Now what do I have to do to get back?' ''

"That was the way I was taught. When you do something wrong, you need to fix it.''

Of the 32 people suspended for positive drug tests in the last five seasons under NASCAR's random testing policy, LaJoie is one of 10 who have been reinstated, according to NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston.

A major step was simply getting NASCAR to release a statement last Wednesday announcing that he had been reinstated, considering his suspension had been scroll fodder on sports channels when it was originally announced. NASCAR has publicly revealed all the suspensions, but this is the first time it has announced a reinstatement.

"We want to see competitors take advantage of the (treatment) program, that's why it exists,'' Poston said. "Anytime someone can make a successful comeback is a victory for everyone.''

 

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Filed under: Nationwide Series, NASCAR

Two-time Nationwide series champion driver and television commentator Randy LaJoie has been reinstated by NASCAR as a crew member after successfully completing a counseling program in the wake of his June 22 suspension for violating the sanctioning body's drug policies.

LaJoie tested positive for marijuana on June 11 in a NASCAR drug test and confessed that he'd smoked some pot with fans in the infield of Charlotte Motor Speedway after the Coca-Cola 600 on May 30.

"I am thankful to NASCAR for reinstating me for competition, and grateful to my friends and family who supported me through this time," LaJoie said Wednesday in a statement. "This has been a tremendous learning and growing process for me, and I have come through it a stronger, better person. I am looking forward to returning to work, and continuing to prove to NASCAR, my colleagues, my family and my friends that this was an isolated incident that I have put behind me."

LaJoie will continue to lead the Joie of Seating, the seat design business he founded, the statement said, and the Safer Racer Tour, a non-profit organization that was designed to help reach out to the auto racers many feel are most at risk; the numerous short track drivers around the country.

But there was no immediate word from ESPN on the status of his work there as a broadcast commentator for Nationwide series races. He was suspended from ESPN on June 22 as well.

"I screwed up," LaJoie told Sirius Satellite Radio's Dave Moody. "NASCAR tested me the day when I wanted to go spot for someone at Nashville. I already have two NASCAR licenses, but they said I needed a spotter's license, and that included taking a drug test. I took the test, and got a call a few days later, saying I had tested positive for marijuana."

LaJoie said at the time that his use of marijuana was an isolated incident.

 

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Randy Lajoie made a stupid decision. And he got caught. He quickly admitted to it, and deftly handled the situation.

Thankfully everyone seems to be moving on.

From the outset, Lajoie took his crisis management skills into overdrive. He skillfully got in front of the story, and was able to effectively shape the message. There was no time for speculation, and he gave interviews to explain his side of the story.

While I certainly don’t condone the behavior, I respect Lajoie for taking responsibility for his actions. The fact is, none of us are perfect – we all do stupid things sometimes. I think we all can empathize with how difficult it is to admit our mistakes. And I’d be willing to bet none of us has had to admit a mistake on such a public stage.

In an industry where we so often see people try to pass the buck or make excuses when they do something stupid, I think this was a remarkable, and refreshing event.

In stark contrast, for example, earlier this week Front Row Motorsports, during their penalty appeal, argued that ‘rogue elements of the team’ developed the bleeder valves. Rogue elements? I didn’t know a crew chief could be a rogue element. Shockingly, the commission didn’t buy the story. I digress.

I know there are some out there who don’t buy Lajoie’s story. And that’s fine. I even found a story today that made some pretty serious, but of course unsubstantiated innuendos about the event (sorry I’m not linking to it). I think the person who wrote that though, and all those concerned with the back story, are completely missing the point. It doesn’t really matter what led up to the bad decision. What matters is what happened after Lajoie got caught.

Before I go, let us recap the lessons of this suspension. First, if you know there is a chance you’ll be taking a random drug test at some point in the not too distant future, don’t use controlled substances. Second, if you have a crisis like this, make sure you tell your story before someone else does. And finally, no matter what anyone else does, honesty is always the best policy.

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Filed under: Nationwide Series, Joe Gibbs Racing, NASCAR

NASCAR's dogged drug testing policy has snared its highest-profile violator yet. Two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion turned ESPN analyst Randy LaJoie has been suspended indefinitely for failing a drug test administered June 11.

LaJoie, 48, told SIRIUS Radio Tuesday that he smoked marijuana once in May, but declared that he was "not a user.''

LaJoie also said he has been suspended from ESPN, where he has worked as a race analyst. The network hasn't issued a statement, but did confirm LaJoie's suspension.

LaJoie said he was auditioning for a job as spotter for the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota when he was subjected to the drug test. A JGR spokesman said the team had no statement yet, but confirmed that LaJoie was only contracted to spot for the June 5 race in Nashville.

A NASCAR spokesman told FanHouse that he didn't know if LaJoie's drug test failure was from a random test or a test that can be administered with cause.

LaJoie, won 15 races and back-to-back Nationwide Series (then called Busch Series) championships in 1996-97. He's made 44 Sprint Cup series starts but hasn't competed in a NASCAR race since 2006.

 

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