NASCAR driver Wimmer charged with DWI

HIGH POINT, N.C. -- NASCAR driver Scott Wimmer was charged with driving while impaired after crashing a pickup truck.

Wimmer had a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit, High Point police spokesman Lt. Keith Washington said Monday. Wimmer's pickup hit a large rock, flipped over, then hit a road sign, the spokesman said.

Wimmer was also charged Saturday with hit and run after the pickup registered to the High Point-based Bill Davis Racing team was found overturned with three tires missing about a mile away from his home, Washington said.

When officers arrived at the scene, Wimmer wasn't there. He was found hiding behind a bed at his home, according to the police report.

Wimmer was released on a promise to appear in court. A hearing is scheduled for March 10.

Davis and his racing team issued a statement Sunday that NASCAR, Caterpillar, and others sponsors had been contacted about the accusations against Wimmer.

Davis would not comment until all the facts have been revealed, the statement said.

NASCAR is also gathering facts about the case, spokesman Jim Hunter said.

Wimmer moved up to NASCAR's top series last fall after three full seasons in the Busch Series, where he had five wins in three years.

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