Famous NASCAR Brushes With the Law

In the wake of two major suspensions in the NFL, a former Olympic athlete pleading guilty to fraud and Michael Waltrip being in the news for more than just being unable to qualify his Toyota, I thought this would be the perfect time to call to mind some other famous, or should I saw infamous skirmishes with the law.

Starting with the most recent and still in the news, Michael Waltrip was charged this past week reckless driving and failing to report an accident after his Toyota Land Cruiser hit a telephone pole and rolling it a mile from his home. Waltrip suffered scratches and cuts on his finger in the one car accident. Following the accident, which he said was caused by him falling asleep at the wheel, Waltrip walked home. This is more great press for Toyota and Waltrip who has been fined, docked driver points and failed to qualify his Camry in over 80% of the races this season.

Earlier this year, Martin Truex Jr. was charged with disorderly intoxication when he was found urinating on his car in a parking deck in Daytona Beach, FL. A Volusia County Beach Patrol officer smelled alcohol on Truex’s breath. Truex apologized for his behavior, it is not known if he has apologized to anyone yet for only one top 10 finish so far this season.

How about Kyle Busch being charged with reckless driving while in the parking lot of a Kentucky Fried Chicken in Richmond. I guess he was a little upset at the slow drive thru lane as we all are.

Remember Jimmy Spencer getting arrested and interfering with police officers as they attempted to serve a warrant on his son, James. Because of this Jimmy lost his NASCAR ride and found himself dealing with two misdemeanors. Way to live up to your nickname of “Mr. Excitement”.

Back in 2004, Scott Wimmer was charged with DWI and his wife with obstruction after he was found with a .15 percent blood alcohol content. Wimmer wrecked a pick up truck owned by the team he drove for.

And how about a couple of all timers…

Rachel Otto the granddaughter of NASCAR founder Edgar Otto was found impersonating an officer and trying to arrest a driver in Palm Beach County, FL. The wasn’t the first time she was caught doing this, she has been arrested nine times since 2004. The kicker is she was wearing military fatigues and a cropped men’s haircut. Everyone at the scene thought she was a man including the woman in her passenger seat he moved in with Otto last week.

And how about the NASCAR fan “Daniel”, who all over the internet brags about being arrested four times. Twice for reckless driving and twice for domestic violence. Wow looks like Jeff Foxworthy might have another “You might be a redneck” line to add to his act.