Kevin Grubb
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| Born: | April 19, 1978 | |
| Birthplace: | Mechanicsville, Virginia | |
| Achievements: | — | |
| Awards: | — | |
| NASCAR Nationwide Series Statistics | ||
| 2006 NNS Position: | 19th | |
| Best NNS Position: | 13th - 2000 (Busch Series) | |
| First Race: | 1997 U.S. Cellular 200 (New Hampshire) | |
| Last Race: | 2006 Emerson Radio 250 (Richmond) | |
| Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
| 0 | 32 | 1 |
| Statistics current as of June 7, 2006. | ||
Kevin Grubb of Mechanicsville, Virginia was born April 19, 1978. He is the younger brother of former NASCAR driver Wayne Grubb.
He is currently suspended from NASCAR competition due to two violations in NASCAR's substance abuse policy.
Contents |
[edit] Nextel Cup Series
Grubb's only attempt in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series came in 2002 when he attempted the Pontiac Excitement 400 at Richmond. He drove the #54 Toys "R" Us Chevy for Team Bristol Motorsports, but was unable to get into the race. During his qualifying attempt he spun out on his second lap and without any owner points was the only car not to make the race. The team was supposed to attempt the 2003 season full time, with Grubb running for rookie of the year, but the plans fell through.
[edit] Busch Series
Kevin's NASCAR Busch Series Career begin in 1997 with four starts with Grubb Motorsports. His first start came in the #82 Virginia is for Lovers Chevy where he finished 38th at New Hampshire. His first three starts ended in accidents. In his final start of the year, he finished his forth start in the 21st position at Dover. In 1998, he ran 16 Busch series races for his father's team Grubb Motorsports. He ran well in many of those races with a top finish of second at Dover at getting his first pole. His teammate was his brother Wayne Grubb who also raced for his father's team. After a very successful year Grubb was offered a ride at Brewco Motorsports in 1999. Kevin raced for Brewco through 2001. He would amass 18 top tens in those three years. At the end of 2001 he was tabbed to race for Team Bristol Motorsports. The team was plagued by failures, and Grubb was released by the end of the season. In 2003, he signed a partial season deal with Carroll Motorsports. He ran well but had a series of engine problems and got caught in accidents not of his making. Carroll Motorsports folded at the conclusion of the 2003 season. While heading into the 2004 season, he was scheduled to compete in a handful of races for Team Rensi Motorsports, but failed a substance abuse test in March 2004 (below).
Following reinstatement in June, 2006, he appeared on an entry list for a Busch Series race at Nashville Speedway as the driver of the #56 Mac Hill Motorsports Chevy. There was some initial doubt as to whether or not he was officially reinstated, however multiple reports stated that a NASCAR official confirmed that he was reinstated. He drove the car in non-companion events the team entered, however Kevin Lepage was still the driver most race weekends.[1] He participated in five Bush events before being suspended indefinitely on September 11, 2006.
[edit] Craftsman Truck Series
Grubb began his career in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series running for the family owned Grubb Motorsports. In 1996, he had two starts in the #55 Virginia is for Lovers Chevy finishing his first start on the lead lap in 18th after starting the race in the 8th position. In his second start an accident brought his race to an end after just 48 laps. He returned to the series in 1997 for one more start where he finished 13th in an unsponsored Grubb Motorsports Chevy at Nazareth.
In August 2006, he took over the 15 truck for Billy Ballew Motorsports after Kyle Krisiloff left due to a dispute with Kyle's dad over sponsorship. However, that effort ended with the drug suspension in September 2006.
[edit] Substance Abuse Test
NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy allows NASCAR to administer drug tests virtually anytime, anywhere, based only on "reasonable suspicion." There is no driver's union to prevent such tests.
Grubb failed a substance abuse test in March 2004, and was inactive until June 2006 when he was reinstated by NASCAR. One of the conditions of his reinstatement was random, unannounced drug tests, a condition to which he agreed. He participated in five Bush events before being suspended indefinitely on September 11, 2006, when he refused to take a drug test following a second-lap crash at Richmond.
The next day, Grubb claimed that his failure to take the test was a result of confusion following a concussion suffered during the race, and offered to take a drug test at that time. He was cleared by the infield hospital following the crash, but was diagnosed with a concussion the next day at a local hospital. He claimed no memory of the refusal to submit to a drug test.
In a comparable situation, NASCAR driver Shane Hmiel was offered a chance at reinstatement after a second such infraction, under condition that he submit to medical and psychological reviews, and frequent drug testing before reinstatement. In February, 2007, Hmiel failed a drug test, and was banned for life.
