NHRA Driver Gets a DQ for Failing Breathalyzer Test at Track

A few drinks with dinner the night before has turned into a nightmare for NHRA Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson.

Johnson, who is second in the season points standings, was disqualified from the O'Reilly Auto Parts Nationals in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday after a breath test recorded alcohol in his system. The NHRA said Johnson, driver of the Mopar Dodge Avenger, registered a 0.027 reading on an alcohol breath analyzer during a drug and alcohol test Saturday morning at the zMax Dragway. The NHRA has a zero-tolerance regarding alcohol.

"I went to a late dinner (Friday) night with my family and had a few alcoholic beverages with my meal," Johnson said in a printed statement. "I felt no ill effects from the alcohol I consumed. This morning I learned I had been chosen for a random alcohol and drug test by the NHRA, one of many I have taken and passed over the years. I took it immediately even though I had 24 hours in which to take the test. Unfortunately, a trace amount of alcohol registered in my system, leading to my disqualification."

The NHRA rule book states any driver or official discovered to have a measurable blood alcohol content during racetrack activities shall be immediately barred from any further involvement or participation in the event. Johnson is subject to further disciplinary action as provided for in the NHRA's substance abuse policy.

A bad break for Johnson and his team and sponsors.

Tom Brady in Car Accident

Some Breaking News:

Tom Brady was involved in a car accident Thursday morning in Boston, MyFoxBoston.com reports.  

The New England Patriots quarterback was reportedly "shaken" following the two-car crash. He was not transported to a hospital and his condition remains unknown, according to the station. 

The hydraulic cutting equipment known as the "jaws of life" was used at the scene, although it was not known if rescuers employed it with Brady's car or the other driver's.  No other reports of injuries as of yet.

The New England Patriots are due to play their season opener on Sunday.  Brady is married to supermodel Gisele.

Update on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 9:38AM by Rick C.Limpert

Tom Brady did not receive medical treatment following the accident, and is on his way to work, sources told the Boston Globe this morning.

NHRA Goes Live on ESPN2 All Weekend

On such a busy sports weekend, it's amazing ESPN2 could carve out multiple hours in it's schedule for the NHRA U.S. Nationals, but they did.  It's great for drag racing fans everywhere.

Each Labor Day weekend, NHRA racers and fans descend on O’Reilly Raceway Park for the biggest, oldest, richest, and most prestigious drag race in the world, and many racers feel that no career is truly complete without a win at drag racing’s grandest event. The fabled strip is regarded by many as one of the smoothest on the circuit, and the stakes are indeed high. As it did two years ago, this event now serves as the kickoff for the Countdown to 1 playoffs and the six-race run to the Full Throttle championships.

ESPN2’s coverage of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals begins Sunday, Sept. 5, at 10 a.m. ET with a one-hour qualifying program. At 11 a.m., NHRA RaceDay presented by Lucas Oil brings viewers up-to-date with the latest NHRA news and sets up the rest of the day’s action. Immediately following at 11:30 a.m., ESPN2 will telecast 2 ½ hours of U.S. Nationals qualifying. More qualifying coverage airs for two hours starting at 5 p.m.

Monday’s non-stop action kicks off at 1 p.m. with eliminations and finals. In addition to the ESPN2 telecast, fans can watch the entire day of eliminations for all classes live on ESPN3.com, ESPN’s live sports broadband network at www.espn3.com.

Season-long coverage of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series on ESPN and ESPN2 continues for the final five events, with finals action airing in prime time at 7-10 p.m. on Sunday nights and from 9-11:30 p.m. for the final three.

Stephen Strasburg meet Tommy John

It is unfortunate, but it was announced this morning that rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg will need Tommy John surgery. 

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Strasburg has a significant tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow.

"As you can imagine, he was initially upset," Rizzo told reporters. "But he has really turned himself from being upset to being focused on his rehabilitation. He's determined to get the surgery done and begin the process of rehabilitation."

The Washington Post reported Strasburg will get a second opinion from Dr. Lewis Yocum.

If he has the surgical procedure, Strasburg likely will be sidelined until at least late in the 2011 season—if not the entire 2011 season. However, the outlook is hardly doom and gloom. The Washington Post noted that 10 pitchers in this year's All-Star Game had Tommy John surgery during their careers.

Strasburg suffered the injury in his most recent start, though he was diagnosed with a strained flexor tendon after an initial MRI exam. An arthrogram exam Thursday revealed more extensive damage.

In late July, Strasburg experienced some stiffness in his shoulder while warming up in the bullpen prior to a scheduled start. The Nationals, in an attempt to prevent the situation from developing into anything more serious, scratched him from that start and placed him on the disabled list.

Strasburg returned from the D.L. on Aug. 10 and has the worst start of his young major league career, allowing six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Marlins. He turned in a decent outing against Arizona in his next start and was pitching well against the Phillies this past Saturday before leaving the game in the fifth inning with what was called a forearm injury.

The 22-year-old Strasburg, was 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 12 starts for Washington this season.

Kwame Brown Joins Jordan-owned Bobcats

Nine years after Michael Jordan took Kwame Brown with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, they're reuniting in hopes of shedding both labels. 

Jordan and his Bobcats came to terms with Brown on a one-year deal for the veteran minimum of $1.3 million. Agent Mark Bartelstein said Brown will sign on Tuesday.

"A really interesting story," Bartelstein said. "Instead of running away from the shadow of Michael Jordan, he kind of embraced it."  In other words, both of these guys are clueless.

In 2001, Jordan took the 6-foot-11 Brown straight out of high school with the first pick. The Georgia teenager wasn't ready for the NBA, and Jordan was labeled as another superstar player unfit to run a team.

Jordan was fired from the Wizards in 2003, shortly after a comeback as a player. The Hall of Famer returned to the NBA three years later as part-owner of the Bobcats with the final say on basketball decisions. Jordan bought the team outright in the spring.

The 28-year-old Brown has bounced around the league with little success. He averaged 3.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in 48 games with Detroit last season. He's averaged 6.7 points and 5.4 rebounds with four teams over nine seasons, including two stints with the Los Angeles Lakers.

"We felt this was a critical year for him to kind of rebuild his career," Bartelstein said. "He had a couple tough years. There were a lot of expectations and things didn't go exactly the way he had hoped. So now it was about making a really good choice.

"There has been so much criticism in the past about him and Michael and the way it didn't work out the first time in Washington. I think that was a really a challenge for Kwame, to come back and turn that around."  I think we all know how this is oin to end.