Suspended NASCAR driver cleared of charges, hopes for reinstatement

Tyler Dippel hopes to be reinstated by NASCAR following his appearance in a New York court on Wednesday.

NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Dippel has revealed why he was indefinitely suspended by the sanctioning body last week.

NASCAR did not reveal the reasons for his suspension, merely stating it was under behavioral grounds, but Fox Sports reported that Dippel was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance on Aug. 18 in his hometown of Wallkill, New York.

The 19-year-old was pulled over for driving 80 mph in a 65 zone, and once given consent to search the vehicle, officers found a book bag that contained a pill bottle with amphetamine and dextroamphetamine — commonly found in Adderall.

Dippel was not allowed to participate in Sunday’s race at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park as a result. Regional star DJ Kennington replaced him and drove the No. 02 to a 15th-place result.

The Young’s Motorsports driver appeared in court on Wednesday morning and the driver said the charges were dropped in the following Facebook post:

“I would like to start by apologizing to my fans, Young’s Motorsports, NASCAR, Gander Outdoors, our partners, and my family and friends for the grief this situation has caused. Due to an ongoing investigation, we have not been able to speak on the topic until today.

“On Aug. 18, while driving home from the Orange County Fair Speedway, I was pulled over for changing lanes without proper signal. The trooper asked my passenger and myself if we had been using drugs and we responded with “no” — because we hadn’t. The trooper continued to question us and then asked to search the vehicle, which I gave him my consent as I had nothing to hide. In the back of my truck was a friend’s backpack who was not with us containing his prescription medication. Because it was in my vehicle, I was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Upon my appearance ticket, I contacted NASCAR within hours to inform them of the situation. Due to the NASCAR rule book and code of conduct, they ruled to suspend me indefinitely. I respect their decision.

“Early this morning, at the Town of Wallkill Court, the charges against me in this case were dismissed. We presented proof that the prescription was not mine and the person that the prescription belonged to accepted responsibility for leaving them in my vehicle.

“I along with my team will work closely with NASCAR to hopefully be reinstated so I can be back in the Young’s Motorsports No. 02 Chevrolet. I take full responsibility for my actions.

“Thank you again to everyone who has supported me. I look forward to seeing everyone soon.”

The Truck Series returns to action at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sept. 13.


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