Penske Racing parts ways with AJ Allmendinger
Aug. 1, 2012
NASCAR Wire Service
Penske
Racing released AJ Allmendinger as driver of the No. 22 Dodge in the
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on Wednesday, one week after Allmendinger
agreed to enter the Road to Recovery program after violating the
sanctioning body's substance abuse policy.
Allmendinger
was initially suspended from competition just before the July 7 race at
Daytona International Speedway after he failed a random
drug test administered the week before at Kentucky Speedway. He was
suspended indefinitely July 24 after his "B" sample confirmed the
findings of the "A" sample; both were collected in Kentucky.
The
personnel move brings Allmendinger's first season with Penske to an end
after 17 races. He was 23rd in Sprint Cup points with just one
top-five finish at the time of his initial suspension.
"Penske
Racing fully supports NASCAR's substance abuse policy and we are
disappointed with AJ's positive drug test results," car owner Roger
Penske said in a statement released by the team. "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. As AJ begins
NASCAR's Road to Recovery program, we wish him the best and look
forward to seeing him compete again in NASCAR."
The
team also announced that Sam Hornish Jr., who has driven in
Allmendinger's place the last three races, would remain in the No. 22
Dodge
"for the foreseeable future."
"I
apologize for the distraction, embarrassment and difficulties that my
current suspension from NASCAR has provided,''
Allmendinger said in a statement. "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."
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