NASCAR Suspends NCTS Driver Indefinitely

If I thought it would mean anything to anyone, I might have written the headline as "NASCAR Suspends Walker Indefinitely." But Tyler Walker is hardly a respected household name--even among NASCAR fans.

And now it's likely he never will be. Memorable maybe ... kind of like we all remember Shane Hmiel, but respected? Er ... not this season.

Walker, a driver in the Craftsman Truck Series for Bill Davis Racing, has been suspended from competition indefinitely by NASCAR, for violating the sanctioning body's substance abuse policy. He was tested following the May 18 race at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

2007 Pre-Season Flashback

Walker: "I've waited for an opportunity like this for a long time, and I plan to make the most of it. I know that chances like this don't comealong every day, and I feel really lucky to be involved with BDR and have backing from 360 OTC. Bill Davis' entire organization is top-notch, and the Bill Davis Racing NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program is, in my opinion, the best one out there. With trucks from BDR, and teammates like Johnny Benson and Mike Skinner and 360 OTC behind me, I can't imagine how I would ever have a better shot at success in NASCAR."

A lifetime of racing got him there. And he threw it away for what? I really wish NASCAR didn't have a policy of not naming the substance. I'd really like to know which one Walker thought would taste better than success.

And did ya'll catch the part that he was tested after the race?So whatever substance this was was in his system when he was on the track? with 42 other drivers? Lovely ... I wonder if that will have any bearing on NASCAR offering him second and third chances ...

Update

Is Walker's future at BDR in question? BDR Statement:

"We agree with the vigilance that NASCAR is taking in this instance. We also have a zero tolerance substance abuse policy at Bill Davis Racing and will take the appropriate action concerning Tyler's future status with our company."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-29-2007 @ 6:04PM

gordon_fan247 said...

What an idiot. Do these guys realize that there are hundreds, probably thousands of drivers who would give anything to be in their position? For his own sake, I hope he gets through this, but I also hope they never let him near a racetrack again.

5-29-2007 @ 6:47PM

Kristin said...

It is really a shame that these guys throw away the dream of a lifetime...do they realize how many other people are out there that would die to have the chance to be in their position?

5-29-2007 @ 8:43PM

mikeymike said...

Its a shame....this will stay with him even after he's reinstated.

Kristin - Ironic, by doing whatever he did he has opened a door for someone.

I feel for BDR they also will have to live with his shame, for awhile anyway.

5-29-2007 @ 10:00PM

Steve said...

I don't want to defend him for doing something stupid, but it is only fair to point out that tests can indicate the use of drugs days earlier. It's not right to imply without qualification that he was on the track in an impaired condition. He might have been, but, personally, I doubt it. A race car driver in any NASCAR or other national series is really not likely to be under the influence of anything during a race. Heck, they're high just on racin', they're competitors, and they know that drugs or alcohol are going to take away their edge and turn them into losers.

It's just too bad that some of them don't realize that drugs can be detected long after the effects wear off. The choice is simple: don't do them, or don't be a race car driver. Their choice. Walker has made his.

5-31-2007 @ 6:22AM

carl corley said...

i wonder if all drivers are tested every race or is this just a random selection type thing?

5-30-2007 @ 9:02AM

tannerfor said...

I told my family this man must be on something he was driving so aggessily and weaving like he was on the freeway must be a mothers instinct..........Go figure
whats with these guys getting paid the big bucks and throwing it out the window as they are going around the track.guess money RULES.......

5-30-2007 @ 11:22AM

Broadzilla said...

I agree with Steve's point. The likelyhood that a subtance days later would impair someone is lower. But, it's the side effects you can suffer days/weeks after taking illicit drugs - blurred vision, decreased/dull reflexes, paranoia, aggitation and irritability, mood swings, not to mention the loss of brain cells. We don't know and can't predict how a person's body will metabolize any illicit substance. For that reason, it can't be in their system at all, trace amount or not.

If somebody wants to destroy their life, have at it. But they do not have the right to put others unknowingly in jeopardy and take others with them when they do it. I say do the randoms before they get in the racecar. Don't wait until they come to the infield care center after a wreck where it would be a indefinate suspension with a vehicular manslaughter charge.

5-30-2007 @ 12:31PM

Dave Exner said...

Hopefully a fouled up test, but I wonder if he was smart enough to get retested soon after the failed test? I watched this young man run with the World of Outlaws and he was a gasser. Hope it all works out well for him and if dirty, gets treatment.

5-30-2007 @ 12:43PM

Bob in Jersey said...

Hate to get picky, but in the truck series he'd only have 33 or 35 other drivers on the track with him.

Unless it's Bristol or Martinsville, that's a big difference, even if you're totally sober.

5-30-2007 @ 2:37PM

doda said...

JUST ANOTHER PUNK KID THAT GOT TOO MUCH TO SOON AND COULDN'T HANDLE IT. REMINDS ME OF THAT CRACK SMOKER STRAWBERRY WHO HAD THE WORLD AT HIS FEET AND HIS NOSE IN THE BLOW. OH WELL SO SAD.

5-30-2007 @ 8:21PM

William Bray said...

Don't cry for Tyler Walker. He made his bed. NASCAR policy is clear in this regard. If you are going to drive in a NASCAR series, don't use illegal substances. The money made by drivers - even in the Truck Series - is more than most people can ever imagine.

What is lost is this - dozens of families may be effected by Tyler Walker's actions. Members of his crew, the front office and related employees at BDR and its sponsors will have their jobs jeopardized by Tyler Walker's suspension and the negative light which will be cast on them by his actions. An incident like this can set a team back by years. Fortunately for BDR, it is an established and well-respected team.

Here's hoping that Tyler Walker's actions don't negatively impact too many other, innnocent, bystanders.