Are there any NASCAR drivers who don't drink? (trucks, race car, racing)

[valpofan11]

Since NASCAR and beer are associated with each other a lot, I am wondering if there are any drivers who are teetotalers. For whatever reason. It would be interesting if there are any of them that have completed rejected the drinking culture.

[Labonte18]

Originally Posted by valpofan11

Since NASCAR and beer are associated with each other a lot, I am wondering if there are any drivers who are teetotalers. For whatever reason. It would be interesting if there are any of them that have completed rejected the drinking culture.

I'd say there are several that would surprise me if they drink more than just socially.. Mainly the drivers who are in outstanding shape.. Jimmie Johnson comes to mind. Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte, Carl Edwards.

[rbohm]

just because beer companies sponsor race cars does not mean that the drivers automatically drink, or drink to excess.

these guys pretty much understand a few things;

1: they lose control when alcohol is involved

2: they can be dropped by their sponsors for a number of reasons, including public drunkenness, especially if it casts a bad light on the sponsor.

3: they can be fired from the teams, or suspended from nascar if their behavior casts a bad light on the sport. again this includes public drunkenness.

these guys do not want to lose their rides, they do not want to lose their race licenses, they do not want to lose their sponsors. to that end they do everything they can to put forth a proper image to the public.

are these guys saints? no, but its rare when a driver goes beyond the pale.

[mapleguy]

I think that the real question should be ......


Who smokes weed ?


Much more likely that drinking beer.


Given the modern US society that surrounds them, it is very likely .


Its called a recreational drug for a reason, right ?


Jim B.

[bluescreen73]

I don't know of any current drivers who don't drink, but Richard Petty's late wife Lynda was a teetotaler. Her disdain for alcohol was so strong that she refused to allow the team to have any alcohol-related decals on the cars.

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

I don't know of any current drivers who don't drink, but Richard Petty's late wife Lynda was a teetotaler. Her disdain for alcohol was so strong that she refused to allow the team to have any alcohol-related decals on the cars.

I did a little research while avoiding work this morning. I misspoke. Lynda wasn't the reason why the team didn't have any alcohol decals on the car. Richard's mom was.

[Labonte18]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

I did a little research while avoiding work this morning. I misspoke. Lynda wasn't the reason why the team didn't have any alcohol decals on the car. Richard's mom was.

Yep.. They generally never ran the Bud/Busch/Coors Pole Award decal and as I recall, never qualified for the Clash due to it.

I don't think there's a large contingent using weed in Cup. Of course, I wouldn't have pegged Mayfield as a meth-head, either.

Most of those are 'weeded' out in the local series.. The few that make it through are generally taken care of in Trucks or Busch racing.

Then you have the oddball ones, like Randy LaJoie who apparently smoked a joint with some fans in the infield at Talladega or something, then got suspended.

Oh, I should clarify.. I don't think there's a large contingent of DRIVERS using weed. Crew members.. Different story. We hear of around 10 per year getting suspended.

[burdell]

Originally Posted by Labonte18

I'd say there are several that would surprise me if they drink more than just socially.. Mainly the drivers who are in outstanding shape.. Jimmie Johnson comes to mind. Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte, Carl Edwards.

I don't know that that's a good way to judge, F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen is in outstanding shape and isn't known to be shy when there's alcohol on the menu.