AJ Allmendinger’s failed drug test already resulted in a NASCAR suspension, and it now has officially cost him his ride at Penske Racing.
Penske Racing released Allmendinger on Wednesday, eight days after NASCAR confirmed the results of a June 29 random drug test, which Allmendinger’s business manager said showed a positive for amphetamines.
“Penske Racing fully supports NASCAR's substance abuse policy and we are disappointed with AJ's positive drug test results," said team owner Roger Penske in a statement. "AJ is a terrific driver, a good person, and it is very unfortunate that we have to separate at this time. We have invested greatly in AJ and we were confident in his success with our team.
“The decision to dismiss him is consistent with how we would treat any other Penske Racing team member under similar circumstances.”
The 30-year-old Allmendinger, who has missed the last three races since NASCAR learned the initial results of the drug test, has said he didn’t knowingly take a banned substance.
While he is using an independent lab to analyze his supplements and medications to determine what caused the result, Allmendinger also has entered NASCAR’s recovery program to get reinstated.
“I wish to thank Mr. Penske, Penske Racing, their sponsors, and especially all the of the No. 22 team for the opportunity they provided me and for their support in this difficult time,” Allmedinger said in a statement. “I also, again, would like to thank all the fans that really have been awesome through this.
“I apologize for the distraction, embarrassment, and difficulties that my current suspension from NASCAR has provided. As I stated last week, I have begun NASCAR's Road to Recovery program and look forward to using those resources and its completion to compete again in NASCAR in the near future.”
Sam Hornish Jr. was named the driver of the No. 22 car “for the foreseeable future” while the team evaluates who will drive the car in 2013.
AJ Allmendinger has apologized for the distraction and embarrassment that his positive drug test has caused. (NASCAR Photo)
There was no guarantee before the suspension that the driver for 2013 would have been Allmendinger, who had signed a 1-year deal with Penske Racing in December to replace Kurt Busch as driver of the No. 22 car. Penske held an option for 2013, and Allmendinger was 23rd in the Sprint Cup standings at the time of his suspension. With a rookie crew chief and signs of potential, no decision had been announced whether Penske would pick up the option prior to the drug test.
The failed test apparently sealed Allmendinger’s fate and now opens the No. 22 ride for 2013. Penske said last Sunday that he had been out of the country since the confirmation of the B sample July 24 and wanted to meet with Allmendinger face-to-facebefore determining his future.
“He realizes this is a serious situation,” Penske said Sunday. “I said to him, ‘There are people a lot bigger than you are that have had issues, that have bounced back and taken it as a speed bump.’ … I want to see him land on his feet.”
Shell/Pennzoil, which sponsors Penske Racing's No. 22 car, also weighed in on Allmendinger's dismissal.
“Shell and Pennzoil fully support NASCAR’s substance abuse policy and Penske Racing’s decision to release AJ Allmendinger. … We wish AJ the best as he participates in NASCAR’s Road to Recovery program,” the statement said. “Shell and Pennzoil will continue to work closely with Penske Racing to determine plans for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.”
NASCAR does not announce the length of its recovery program, which is specifically designed for the individual after an analysis by a substance abuse professional. The program includes additional drug testing and possible counseling and rehabilitation.
Allmendinger has five top-five finishes in 169 Cup starts with a career best of second earlier this year at Martinsville Speedway.
“We continue to be extremely grateful by the breadth and scope of support for AJ from his fans and partners,” Allmendinger business manager Tara Ragan said last week.
Hornish, who drove in Cup for Penske from 2008-2010 and is fourth in the Nationwide Series standings, has driven the No. 22 car in Allmendinger’s absence.
But he’s not a lock for the No. 22 ride as several drivers have not signed for next season, including Joey Logano, Ryan Newman, Brian Vickers, Martin Truex Jr. and Regan Smith.
Penske Racing released Allmendinger on Wednesday, eight days after NASCAR confirmed the results of a June 29 random drug test, which Allmendinger’s business manager said showed a positive for amphetamines.
“Penske Racing fully supports NASCAR's substance abuse policy and we are disappointed with AJ's positive drug test results," said team owner Roger Penske in a statement. "AJ is a terrific driver, a good person, and it is very unfortunate that we have to separate at this time. We have invested greatly in AJ and we were confident in his success with our team.
“The decision to dismiss him is consistent with how we would treat any other Penske Racing team member under similar circumstances.”
The 30-year-old Allmendinger, who has missed the last three races since NASCAR learned the initial results of the drug test, has said he didn’t knowingly take a banned substance.
While he is using an independent lab to analyze his supplements and medications to determine what caused the result, Allmendinger also has entered NASCAR’s recovery program to get reinstated.
“I wish to thank Mr. Penske, Penske Racing, their sponsors, and especially all the of the No. 22 team for the opportunity they provided me and for their support in this difficult time,” Allmedinger said in a statement. “I also, again, would like to thank all the fans that really have been awesome through this.
“I apologize for the distraction, embarrassment, and difficulties that my current suspension from NASCAR has provided. As I stated last week, I have begun NASCAR's Road to Recovery program and look forward to using those resources and its completion to compete again in NASCAR in the near future.”
Sam Hornish Jr. was named the driver of the No. 22 car “for the foreseeable future” while the team evaluates who will drive the car in 2013.
AJ Allmendinger has apologized for the distraction and embarrassment that his positive drug test has caused. (NASCAR Photo)
There was no guarantee before the suspension that the driver for 2013 would have been Allmendinger, who had signed a 1-year deal with Penske Racing in December to replace Kurt Busch as driver of the No. 22 car. Penske held an option for 2013, and Allmendinger was 23rd in the Sprint Cup standings at the time of his suspension. With a rookie crew chief and signs of potential, no decision had been announced whether Penske would pick up the option prior to the drug test.
The failed test apparently sealed Allmendinger’s fate and now opens the No. 22 ride for 2013. Penske said last Sunday that he had been out of the country since the confirmation of the B sample July 24 and wanted to meet with Allmendinger face-to-facebefore determining his future.
“He realizes this is a serious situation,” Penske said Sunday. “I said to him, ‘There are people a lot bigger than you are that have had issues, that have bounced back and taken it as a speed bump.’ … I want to see him land on his feet.”
Shell/Pennzoil, which sponsors Penske Racing's No. 22 car, also weighed in on Allmendinger's dismissal.
“Shell and Pennzoil fully support NASCAR’s substance abuse policy and Penske Racing’s decision to release AJ Allmendinger. … We wish AJ the best as he participates in NASCAR’s Road to Recovery program,” the statement said. “Shell and Pennzoil will continue to work closely with Penske Racing to determine plans for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.”
NASCAR does not announce the length of its recovery program, which is specifically designed for the individual after an analysis by a substance abuse professional. The program includes additional drug testing and possible counseling and rehabilitation.
Allmendinger has five top-five finishes in 169 Cup starts with a career best of second earlier this year at Martinsville Speedway.
“We continue to be extremely grateful by the breadth and scope of support for AJ from his fans and partners,” Allmendinger business manager Tara Ragan said last week.
Hornish, who drove in Cup for Penske from 2008-2010 and is fourth in the Nationwide Series standings, has driven the No. 22 car in Allmendinger’s absence.
But he’s not a lock for the No. 22 ride as several drivers have not signed for next season, including Joey Logano, Ryan Newman, Brian Vickers, Martin Truex Jr. and Regan Smith.
RSS Feed