NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver John Wes Townley was charged with driving under the influence after crashing his 2012 BMW into a telephone pole in Georgia, the Athens Banner-Herald reported Friday.
The incident, which occurred early Tuesday morning, came to the attention of the Oconee County Sheriff's Department when a 911 call reported "a suspicious man knocking on the back door of a home" at 4:30 a.m.
Sheriff's deputies arrived to find a disoriented Townley "swaying from side to side and bleeding from his bare feet," the report said. Townley was arrested and charged with DUI and weaving in the roadway.
The newspaper said deputies found blood on the seat of the car, which had its airbags deployed in the crash.
Townley's incident could be a blow to the 22-year-old's NASCAR comeback. The son of Zaxby's co-founder Tony Townley is attempting to revive his career with RAB Racing, which formerly fielded Nationwide cars for the driver.
RAB Racing team owner Robby Benton said he was still gathering facts about the incident and preferred to withhold public comment until he had more information about the situation.
This isn't the first time Townley has found trouble with authorities on an alcohol-related offense. In 2010, Townley was cited for underage possession of alcohol during the Las Vegas race weekend (he was a Richard Childress Racing driver then).
"I made a big mistake and feel terrible about it," Townley said at the time. "I have learned a valuable lesson and will do everything I can to make it up to those I have let down."
Townley was released from RCR due to performance issues the month after the Las Vegas incident and given a second chance by RAB Racing.
But he mysteriously left RAB during the Richmond race weekend that summer and had apparently given up on NASCAR for good.
Benton decided to give Townley another shot this season, though, and the driver is set to run a full Camping World Truck Series schedule for the team.
NASCAR had no immediate comment on Townley's incident, though it has previously allowed drivers charged with DUI to race.
The most recent example was Nationwide Series driver Michael Annett, who was arrested for DWI last February but still allowed to race at Daytona.
UPDATE: The Oconee County Sheriff's Department posted Townley's mug shot on its Facebook page this afternoon.
UPDATE 2: Townley has been indefinitely suspended by RAB Racing, the team announced Friday night.
5 comments
John Wes Townley Charged With DUI After Car Wreck In Georgia
5
Feb 10
1
Jan 13
3
Dec 14
4
Sep 25
4
Aug 14
5
Jul 27
5
May 28
Comments
Do you think drivers fighting for a ride (like Landon Cassill, Brad Coleman, Michael McDowell) could handle a blow like this? Heck no! Meanwhile, drivers with half the talent & twice the money act like spoiled little brats and continue to race on their daddy’s dime.
by jshaunburke on Feb 10, 2012 11:30 AM EST reply actions
Think it's time for Daddy to cut the cord....
Let little boy decide on his own if he will sink or swim… perhaps a few years of military service would help the young man.
Common sense is the most evenly distributed quality in all the world.
Everyone thinks they have enough.
by havey03 on Feb 10, 2012 11:38 AM EST reply actions
Not surprising to me
The headline says it all… John Wes Townley and Wreck. It amazes me how people who have been given pretty much everything in life can just throw it all away or do something stupid and just get away with it. If I were running RAB Racing I would be looking for a new driver, no questions asked
by rfejes1 on Feb 10, 2012 12:02 PM EST reply actions
Not that simple
Townley’s dad brings the money, no money, no racing.
by doctrsnoop on Feb 10, 2012 1:48 PM EST reply actions
Doesn't Realize What He Had
Saddens me to hear of someone that could make something of himself, and obviously had the opportunity, just blow it all away. Fortunately there are many young men with the talent and the drive and desire to make the most of an opportunity when it arises. Maybe Daddy will give one of these young men the chance.
by nascargang on Feb 10, 2012 4:04 PM EST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed