Indefinite Suspension for Analyst LaJoie
Racing analyst and former driver, Randy LaJoie has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR and ESPN, for violating its substance-abuse policy.
On SIRIUS XM Radio, in an interview Tuesday, LaJoie said he smoked marijuana once in May.
As he wanted to become a spotter for one of Joe Gibbs Racing’s Nationwide Series teams, LaJoie was therefore tested by NASCAR.
Since 2006, at any of NASCAR’s top three national levels, he has not competed and has been an analyst for NASCAR the past several years.
In a statement, LaJoie said, “I take full responsibility for my actions and respect NASCAR’s decision; I wish to apologize to my wife and family first, to NASCAR, to my fans and to the various media companies which I work including ESPN, Sirius Radio, Speed Channel and Performance Racing Network. I have this day sought to enroll in a substance abuse program. My use of marijuana was an isolated incident following the Coca Cola 600. I plan to follow the recommendations of the substance abuse counselor and suggestions of NASCAR and hope that someday I can prove to NASCAR and all the people with whom I associate that I have taken such steps to see that instances such as this do not reoccur.”
Over 12 years in NASCAR’s elite Cup Series, LaJoie raced in 44 races. He won 15 races over 19 seasons and his success was in the Nationwide Series. Since 2006, LaJoie has not raced at any of NASCAR’s top three national levels.
Before last season, NASCAR toughened its drug testing policy, and for failing a random drug test, driver Jeremy Mayfield was suspended in May 2009. Through the court system, he tried to fight, but last month, a federal judge dismissed the case.
