It seems like even former Alaska governor Sarah Palin can't talk herself out of a speeding ticket.
Palin was allegedly caught speeding in Alaska last week by the Wasilla Police Department, TMZ reported. She got slapped with a $144 fine, plus a $10 surcharge, according to court documents found via Alaska's CourtView system.
However, she has an excuse that's sure to make many of her NASCAR-loving fans smile, according to Huffington Post. "I wasn't speeding, I was qualifying," she joked. TMZ said she was doing 63 mph in a 45 mph zone in a Toyota Tundra pickup truck.
Records posted online by Alaska's CourtView system show Palin was ticketed by the Wasilla Police Department on July 16 for going 10 to 19 mph over the speed limit, which is listed as a minor offense. The person who answered the phone at the Wasilla Police Department had no comment when USA Today called, but helpfully directed them to the documents.
The former governor of Alaska also joked to TMZ that her choice in music may have played a role in her speed since she was listening to "I Can't Drive 55" by Sammy Hagar when she was pulled over for the offense.
Palin has 30 days to respond to the citation, which notes the surcharge is for "police training." Although the ticket is currently listed as unpaid, TMZ reported that she plans to settle up soon.
For the record, qualifying speeds at a recent NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway ranged from 194.963 mph to 204.557 mph.
Palin made headlines recently after writing an editorial on Breitbart.com, entitled "It's Time to Impeach President Obama," where she accused Obama of intentionally weakening the border security between the United States and Mexico, declaring it grounds for impeachment proceedings to begin. "Enough is enough of the years of abuse from this president," she opened her op-ed with. "His unsecured border crisis is the last straw that makes the battered wife say, 'no mas.'"
