Bakersfield, Calif. (May 12, 2002) – NASCAR Winston West Series and Weekly Racing Series Driver Sammy Potashnick returned to the track for last night's NASCAR Super Late Model race at Mesa Marin Raceway.
NASCAR has reinstated Potashnick's license which was temporarily suspended in February due to inaccurate reports of drug possession. (For more information please see press release that follows titled, "CURRENT RESPONSE MADE ON BEHALF OF SAMMY POTASHNICK REGARDING ALLEGED CHARGES", which was released on February 24. See also www.Sammy65.com under "Press Releases" link for additional information.)
NASCAR reinstated Potashnick's license following finalized legal proceedings and with confirmation of Potashnick's negative drug screen results. There was in fact no charges of cocaine possession filed as some reports have said. Potashnick's only offense was carrying prescription pain medication outside it's prescribed container. That charge was dropped with proof of prescription presented.
Potashnick is slated to run the both the ARCA race and NASCAR Winston West Series race at Kansas Speedway on June 1, however, may opt to compete in just one of the series' races that weekend for equipment reasons. Potashnick will compete in numerous other Winston West Series and ARCA races with Crew Chief duties shared among Jerry Pitts and Mike Harvick.
Potashnick also plans to run in as many local NASCAR Super Late races as his schedule and team budget will allow. His plans include competing in the next Super Late Model race at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, Calif. on May 18, as well as the Super Late Model race at Mesa Marin Raceway on May 25.
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CURRENT RESPONSE MADE ON BEHALF OF SAMMY POTASHNICK REGARDING ALLEGED CHARGES
Charlotte, N.C. (February 24, 2002) -- NASCAR Winston West Series Driver and upcoming Busch Series Driver Sammy Potashnick has obtained legal council for the defense of alleged charges made against him in the Daytona Beach, Fla., area on February 14. To this point, there have been no comments made on behalf of Potashnick as advised by his lawyer. This will be the only comment made on behalf of Potashnick until all legal proceedings are final.
The accusations made against Potashnick have been completely blown out of proportion through several tainted and conflicting reports made by some members of the media. There are two sides to every story; only one side has been told thus far. We are unable to profess all aspects of the defense until the truth comes out with finalized legal proceedings. Additional details will be released at that time.
To briefly summarize, Potashnick was the driver (at the time) of the rental car he rented for himself and some team members for the final week of the Daytona Speed Weeks. When Potashnick picked up the car, the car rental agency apologized that they had not yet had time to clean out the car from the time the last renter had returned the vehicle. Numerous team members and associates also had use of the car over the course of the few days Potashnick had the rental due to opposite Speed Weeks schedules at all hours of the day. The doors to the rental car had not been locked at all times.
Although Potashnick was not yet scheduled to make his Busch Series Debut, he was in Daytona to meet up with the team he would be joining forces with later in the 2002 season.
After making a wrong turn onto an unmarked road in an unfamiliar area, Potashnick pulled off the side of the road to correct the mistake he had made. A policeman pulled up at the same time.
When asked if there were any drugs or alcohol in the vehicle, Potashnick told the officer about the prescribed pain medicine in his pocket. Potashnick was cited for having the medication out of its prescribed container.
Potashnick has had over 18 incidents of broken bones, ailments, chest tubes, and surgeries over the course of his life and time involved in sports, racing motorcycles, quads, and stock cars. Although Potashnick is not in any way addicted to pain medication, weather changes and some physical activity is more painful for him than most. Proof of prescription was presented by one of Potashnick''s medical doctors later that day.
Potashnick has no knowledge of anything else found in the car, nor did he admit to being under the influence of any drugs as one report has stated. Cocaine was allegedly found in a cigarette box deep in the console of the rental car. Potashnick does not smoke cigarettes. Potashnick has tested negative for all drugs (including pain killers) on several drug tests since the allegations.
Potashnick has never tested positive for drugs on any driver drug tests at any time over the course of his seven years racing in NASCAR, ARCA, or USAR Hooters Pro Cup. He has no prior convictions of this nature and no history of drug abuse.
Potashnick follows a strict policy against drug use and does not tolerate it as an employer. Potashnick has fired several employees of SP Racing, Inc., for positive results on drugs tests that were administered during the 2001 season. Any full-time employee who is hired at SP Racing., Inc. signs a written agreement stating that drug use is not tolerated and that drug testing may be randomly administered at any time. Potashnick follows the same standards for himself.
Potashnick''s lawyer fully expects the truth to come out and that Potashnick will be entirely vindicated.
Until then, Potashnick will not allow tainted reports to bring his spirits down. He will continue to make preparations for a transition to the NASCAR Busch Series later in the 2002 season. New Team Owner Jay Robinson stands behind Potashnick 100 percent and looks forward to the time when Potashnick will in fact drive the 49 car.
Potashnick has received an enormous amount of backing and support from other drivers, teams, officials, co-workers, employees, sponsors, fans, select media, friends, family, and acquaintances since the allegations. Potashnick would like to thank all of them for not assuming the worst in regard to these heart-wrenching allegations and for believing in him as a driver and as a person.
