Kevin Grubb
Encyclopedia
Kevin Grubb was an American race car driver from Mechanicsville, Virginia
. He was the younger brother of former race car driver Wayne Grubb
. He was under suspension from NASCAR competition due to two violations in NASCAR's substance abuse policy at the time of his death.
Sprint Cup 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.
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 fourth start in the 21st position at Dover
. In 1998, he ran 16 Busch series races for Grubb Motorsports. He ran well in many of those races with a top finish of second at Dover
after 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.http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2006/06/05/scene_daily157.html He participated in five Busch events before being suspended indefinitely on September 11, 2006.
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.
s virtually any time, anywhere, based only on "reasonable suspicion."
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 Busch events before being suspended indefinitely on September 11, 2006, when he refused to take a drug test following a second-lap crash at Richmond. Failure to take the test resulted in automatic suspension.
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.
authorities. The Richmond Times-Dispatch
reported the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
The police reported no indications of any illegal substances inside the hotel room.
Mechanicsville, Virginia
Mechanicsville is the name of four places in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States of America:*Mechanicsville, Hanover County, Virginia*Mechanicsville, Loudoun County, Virginia*Mechanicsville, Rockbridge County, Virginia...
. He was the younger brother of former race car driver Wayne Grubb
Wayne Grubb
Wayne Grubb , is a former NASCAR driver and now a car chief for Baker Curb Racing. He ran 52 NASCAR Busch Series races and 7 Craftsman Truck Series races before he retired late in the 2000 season. He is the older brother of former NASCAR driver Kevin Grubb, who died on May 6, 2009 at age 31...
. He was under suspension from NASCAR competition due to two violations in NASCAR's substance abuse policy at the time of his death.
Sprint Cup Series
Grubb's only attempt in the NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Sprint Cup came in 2002 when he attempted the Pontiac Excitement 400 at Richmond
Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway is a 3/4-mile , D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series...
. 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.
Nationwide Series
Kevin's stint in NASCAR's junior series begin in 1997 with four starts with his father's team Grubb Motorsports. His first start came in the #82 Virginia is for LoversVirginia is for Lovers
Virginia is for Lovers is the tourism and travel slogan of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Used since 1969, it has become a well recognized and often imitated part of American jargon. For example, New York drew on its success to create the I Love New York logo nearly a decade later in 1977...
Chevy where he finished 38th at New Hampshire
New Hampshire International Speedway
New Hampshire Motor Speedway is a oval speedway located in Loudon, New Hampshire which has hosted NASCAR racing annually since the early 1990s, as well as an IndyCar weekend and the oldest motorcycle race in North America, the Loudon Classic...
. His first three starts ended in accidents. In his final start of the year, he finished his fourth start in the 21st position at Dover
Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned race track located in Dover, Delaware, owned by, and serving as the corporate headquarters of, Dover Motorsports, Inc. It is co-located with a harness racing track, Dover Downs, and shares the complex with Dover Downs Hotel & Casino...
. In 1998, he ran 16 Busch series races for Grubb Motorsports. He ran well in many of those races with a top finish of second at Dover
Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned race track located in Dover, Delaware, owned by, and serving as the corporate headquarters of, Dover Motorsports, Inc. It is co-located with a harness racing track, Dover Downs, and shares the complex with Dover Downs Hotel & Casino...
after getting his first pole. His teammate was his brother Wayne Grubb
Wayne Grubb
Wayne Grubb , is a former NASCAR driver and now a car chief for Baker Curb Racing. He ran 52 NASCAR Busch Series races and 7 Craftsman Truck Series races before he retired late in the 2000 season. He is the older brother of former NASCAR driver Kevin Grubb, who died on May 6, 2009 at age 31...
who also raced for his father's team. After a very successful year, Grubb was offered a ride at Brewco Motorsports
Brewco Motorsports
Baker Curb Racing, formerly known as Brewco Motorsports, is a racing team that competes in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, it is owned by Gary Baker, former owner of Bristol Motor Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway, and record executive Mike Curb...
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
Team Rensi Motorsports
Team Rensi Motorsports is a NASCAR Nationwide Series team owned by Ed Rensi, Gary Weisbaum, and formerly Sam Rensi. The team has also competed in the Winston Cup Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA racing series...
, 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
Kevin Lepage
Kevin Lepage is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #52 car, for Jimmy Means Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Lepage is the only NASCAR driver from Vermont to qualify for the Daytona 500.-Early career:...
was still the driver most race weekends.http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2006/06/05/scene_daily157.html He participated in five Busch events before being suspended indefinitely on September 11, 2006.
Camping World Truck Series
Grubb began his career in the NASCAR Truck Series running for the family owned Grubb Motorsports. In 1996, he had two starts in the #55 Virginia is for LoversVirginia is for Lovers
Virginia is for Lovers is the tourism and travel slogan of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Used since 1969, it has become a well recognized and often imitated part of American jargon. For example, New York drew on its success to create the I Love New York logo nearly a decade later in 1977...
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
Nazareth Speedway
Nazareth Speedway was an auto racing track in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania which operated from 1910 to 2004. The track is often associated with local drivers Mario and Michael Andretti. It was associated with Frankie Schneider in its earlier dirt track history....
.
In August 2006, he took over the 15 truck for Billy Ballew Motorsports
Billy Ballew Motorsports
Billy Ballew Motorsports is a team that competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. They were formed in 1996 by Georgia businessman Billy Ballew. They currently field the #51 Bullet Liner F-150 for Colin Braun.- Fasscore 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.
Substance abuse test
NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy allows NASCAR to administer drug testDrug test
A drug test is a technical analysis of a biological specimen – for example urine, hair, blood, sweat, or oral fluid / saliva – to determine the presence or absence of specified parent drugs or their metabolites...
s virtually any time, anywhere, based only on "reasonable suspicion."
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 Busch events before being suspended indefinitely on September 11, 2006, when he refused to take a drug test following a second-lap crash at Richmond. Failure to take the test resulted in automatic suspension.
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
Shane Hmiel
Shane Hmiel is a former American racecar driver. He was paralyzed in a near fatal racing accident on October 9, 2010...
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.
Death
Grubb was found dead at Alpine Motel on May 6, 2009 at 11:30a.m. according to Henrico CountyHenrico County, Virginia
Henrico is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. As of 2010, Henrico was home to 306,935 people. It is located in the Richmond-Petersburg region and is a portion of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area...
authorities. The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Richmond Times-Dispatch
The Richmond Times-Dispatch is the primary daily newspaper in Richmond the capital of Virginia, United States, and is commonly considered the "newspaper of record" for events occurring in much of the state...
reported the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
The police reported no indications of any illegal substances inside the hotel room.
External links
- AP Obituary in the Richmond Times-DispatchRichmond Times-DispatchThe Richmond Times-Dispatch is the primary daily newspaper in Richmond the capital of Virginia, United States, and is commonly considered the "newspaper of record" for events occurring in much of the state...
- Career stats