Todd Parrott has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR
Stock Car Racing History
Richard Petty on firing Todd Parrott: He gave us no choice
Bob Pockrass Sporting News
CHARLOTTE, N.C.Crew chief Todd Parrott was fired under Richard Petty Motorsports zero-tolerance substance-abuse rulesviolate NASCARs policy, and youre automatically dismissed, team co-owner Richard Petty said Tuesday.NASCAR suspended Parrott last Thursday for a violation of the policy, which typically comes from failing a random drug test.
It was just an automaticwhen he did what he did, he done his own thing (to himself), Petty said Tuesday following an appearance at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. All weve done is said, This is the way its got to be. Its definitely zero tolerance.
These guys are putting their life on the line. The guys on pit road are putting their life on the line100 percent isnt good enough. Anybody that sort of breaks the rule, theres no room in our organization for that.
The 49-year-old Parrott, who has 31 career wins and who guided Dale Jarrett to the 1999 Cup title, had guided Aric Almirola to 18th in the Cup standings this year. Parrott, speaking Tuesday night on Motor Racing Networks NASCAR Live hosted by Eli Gold, would not reveal the substance he took and admitted he made a mistake.
I was in a dark moment, and it happened, Parrott said. The next morning when I woke up, I just couldnt believe what Id done and beat myself up pretty bad about it. I had to go face the truth.
On the MRN show, Parrott said he would begin NASCAR's "Road to Recovery" program Wednesday by meeting with a substance-abuse professional who will determine the steps he will need to take to get reinstated by NASCAR, which automatically issues an indefinite suspension for a failed drug test.
"Im going to get the problem fixed and make sure that something like this never happens again," Parrott said. "I have family that depends on me. I love this sport. I want to get back in this sport and work with my friends in the garage area.
Petty said he was shocked that Parrott violated the policy.
Ive never been around him enough to see any changes or any of that kind of stuff, Petty said. The parts and stuff that Ive seen him around the shop and around the racetrack, I didnt see anything going on.
Im not an expert on that kind of stuff.
Almirola and Parrott seemed to mesh well, as Almirola had a career-best average finish of 18.4 this season with Parrott atop the pit box, but now Almirola will have to move on knowing that Parrott most likely wont be back with him next year.The team announced Tuesday that Greg Ebert, the teams car chief, would serve as crew chief the rest of the year.
Its going to be pretty seamless, Almirola said of the transition between crew chiefs. Gregs been around the car a lot. Hes up to speed with a lot of our setup stuff that has evolved throughout the year.
Besides the engineers, hes the one guy thats the most hands-on with the cars. All the guys on the team obviously respect him a lot. Hes already in a leadership role.
Petty said he had not talked with Parrott, but Almirola said he had.
I just reached out to him and told him that I supported him and I just want him to get better and get back on track, Almirola said. I dont know what else to say to the guy.
Ive said it over and over. This isnt a character flaw or anything. Hes still a good person, and hes still a good crew chief. But he made a mistake, and hes got to bounce back from it.
Almirola said the team is up to the challenge.
Our race team is not defined by one person, Almirola said. There is a lot of great people at our race team. Its going to force everybody to step up for the time being.
