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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