Townley Suspended By RAB Racing

John Wes Townley has been suspended by RAB Racing for an indeterminate number of races in the aftermath of his Tuesday arrest for DUI in his home state of Georgia. Townley crashed his 2012 BMW into a telephone pole Tuesday; his second alcohol-related incident in the last two years.

RAB Racing co-owner Robby Benton has informed Townley that he will not drive the team’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entry at Daytona as scheduled, and will remain sidelined form the team’s No. 09 Toyota Tundra “until his return is deemed appropriate.”

Team co-owner Robby Benton commented on the situation, saying, "Obviously, this is an unfortunate situation. However, we have to react to the severity of the incident accordingly. His actions do not reflect those of RAB Racing, nor the sponsors associated with the team. John Wes has accepted full responsibility, and will take the necessary personal steps in order to correct his actions, among other internal sanctions. We stand by John Wes, and will welcome him back to the team at the appropriate time."

Kenny Wallace, who will drive for RAB Racing in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series at Daytona, expressed disappointment in his teammate. “We brought John Wes into RAB Racing to make him a better person, more than a better driver,” said Wallace. “My job was to tutor him into being a better race car driver and I wasn’t even given an opportunity to start. I’m very, very disappointed in him. If he was my kid, I’d beat his butt. That boy was given a great opportunity by Robbie Benton and his race team, and for him to squander the opportunity before he even got on the race track is pretty demoralizing.”