NASCAR Wimmer can still race, but placed on probation for year

Scott Wimmer was convicted of driving while impaired.
HIGH POINT, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR driver Scott Wimmer was convicted of driving while impaired and leaving the scene of a January accident.
He received a 60-day suspended sentence and was placed on unsupervised probation for a year earlier this week. He also was ordered to perform 24 hours of community service.
Wimmer can still compete, but he will be on probation for the rest of the NASCAR season and must perform further community service that the series is arranging.
Wimmer was granted a limited driver's license for 12 months, meaning the license could be revoked if he is found driving with alcohol in his system, defense lawyer Chuck Alexander said.
Alcohol assessment
The 28-year-old driver already has undergone an alcohol assessment, which found he had no substance abuse problems, satisfying the last term of the sentence, Alexander said.
Wimmer said in a statement posted on the Web site of his sponsor, Bill Davis Racing, that he won't appeal the decision.
"I respect the decision of the courts," Wimmer said. "I'm eager to put all of this behind me and move forward. My next commitment to putting all of this behind me is to try and help others from making the same mistake that I've made."
Should Wimmer lose his license, he would not necessarily be banned from NASCAR events, spokesman Mike Zizzo said. To drive in NASCAR races, drivers must possess only a valid NASCAR license, which requires that they be 18, physically fit and able to pass driving ability tests administered by NASCAR.
Alexander said his client may not go forward with an appeal.
Wimmer moved up to the Nextel Cup last fall after three seasons of racing in the Busch Series. He had five wins in three years in the Busch Series.
He was arrested Jan. 31 for driving while impaired after wrecking a 2004 Dodge Ram pickup truck owned by Bill Davis Racing. Wimmer drives for the High Point-based racing team in Nextel Cup.