THOMASVILLE, N.C. – Rick Ware Racing has announced that driver and team member Bayley Currey has violated NASCAR’s substance abuse policy

As a result, Currey has been indefinitely suspended by NASCAR and must complete the Road to Recovery program in order to be reinstated.

Currey, who has competed in all three NASCAR national divisions this year in addition to working as a crew member for Rick Ware Racing, was informed of his failed drug test by NASCAR at Bristol Motor Speedway this week.

“This weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR informed me that I failed a random drug test administered last week,” 22-year-old Currey said in a statement. “I spoke with NASCAR’s Doctor where he explained that I had DMAA (2-Amino-5-methylhexane) in my system. I take a pre-workout supplement, Juggernaut Irate, and this ingredient is indeed in the supplement. I was obviously not aware that I was violating NASCAR’s substance abuse policy.

“I have immediately asked NASCAR to enter me into the Road to Recovery Program where I will gain more knowledge about such banned supplements and I will fully cooperate with NASCAR’s direction and advice. I have worked very hard for a lifetime to reach this level and I am eternally grateful to be afforded the privilege to compete in the sport that I love.

“I want to publicly apologize to my owner’s Rick and Lisa Ware, all the employees of Rick Ware Racing, my sponsors, NASCAR, and most importantly the fans.  My lack of knowledge is no excuse for this to happen. I will expediently complete the process and I will strive to have my suspension lifted as soon as possible.”

Currey has made nine Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts, eight NASCAR Xfinity Series starts and three NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series starts this year.

He earned the second top-10 finish of NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series career last week at Michigan Int’l Speedway, where he finished sixth.

Rick Ware Racing team owner Rick Ware said he stands by Currey following the failed drug test. Currey has made all nine of his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts in cars fielded by Ware.

“At Rick Ware Racing, we stand by NASCAR’s decisions to uphold the drug policy for each and every owner, driver and crew member in the garage,” said Ware. “We believe that Bayley Currey has made an honest mistake by not checking his pre-workout supplements for ingredients that are not allowed through the NASCAR systems. As an organization, we stand behind Bayley’s Road to Recovery journey, and will always have a place for him within our organization.”