Team owner Jay Robinson says he stands behind Sammy Potashnick, despite the young driver’s legal woes.
Potashnick was arrested Feb. 14 in Flagler County, Fla., on multiple drug charges. He was to have made his Busch Series debut Feb. 23 for Robinson at Rockingham. Robby Faggart was behind the wheel of Robinson’s Ford at Rockingham, while 2001 NASCAR Southwest series champion Craig Raudman took over at Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Robinson said he has not given up on Potashnick.
“I’ve spoken with Sammy a number of times,” Robinson said. “Sammy has expressed deep remorse about being out on the highway that time of night. Beyond that, there are a lot of facts and information yet to come that I think will surprise people, regarding information involving that particular situation.” Robinson said Potashnick’s account of the incident – which began with an early morning traffic stop – differ significantly from published reports.
“What the guys in the newspaper wrote is what the arresting officer told them,” Robinson said. “I can tell you that the whole story has not even been told yet. I can promise you this much, that Sammy Potashnick was not using any drugs on that night, and it would be hard for me to believe that he has ever used any drugs.”
Potashnick, who was released on bail and is awaiting trial, was suspended by NASCAR as a result of the incident. Jim Hunter, NASCAR’s vice president of corporate communications, said Potashnick was suspended based on his statement in the police report “that he ingested something.”
“We are monitoring the situation very closely,” he said. Hunter did not rule out Potashnick returning before his case is resolved. However, he said Potashnick would be subject to random drug tests, as are all drivers in NASCAR’s top three series.
Robinson insists Potashnick still has a job when he’s able to return. Until then, he says he’ll decide on a week-to-week basis who will go in the No. 49 Ford.
