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NASCAR officials have suspended AJ Allmendinger “indefinitely” for violating the sanctioning body's substance abuse policy.
According to a statement released by NASCAR on Tuesday evening:
“On July 24, Allmendinger was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (NASCAR's substance abuse policy) of the 2012 NASCAR rule book.
As outlined in the rule book, NASCAR next will provide Allmendinger a letter outlining a process for reinstatement. By agreeing to the letter, he will be allowed to participate in the Road to Recovery Program.”
While NASCAR has not released the name of the objectionable substance Allmendinger's representatives, previously, said NASCAR found “a stimulant,” but denied that the driver intentionally consumed any improper substance.
AJ Allmendinger has not driven since NASCAR announced the violation just prior to the start of the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona.
On Tuesday morning a “B” sample was tested at the Aegis Laboratories pursuant to a request by the driver or his representatives and that test had the same results as the “A” sample.
Under NASCAR rules the specimen obtained was divided into a part “A” and a part “B.”
Penske Racing issued the following reaction.
“In accordance with NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy, Penske Racing was notified today of AJ Allmendinger's positive B sample test. We respect NASCAR's policy and the process they have taken with this matter.
Penske Racing is very disappointed with the result of the B sample test and will evaluate its course of action as it pertains to AJ over the coming week. Sam Hornish Jr., will drive the No. 22 Dodge Charger this weekend at Indianapolis and next weekend at Pocono.”
Hornish had filled in for Allmendinger at Cup races at Daytona and New Hampshire.
Then Shell Oil the sponsor of the No. 22 Dodge issued a reaction:
“Shell and Pennzoil believe that the process and procedures that NASCAR has in place as part of their substance abuse policy are appropriate and serve to ensure that the sport and its participants are held to the highest standards.
We share Penske Racing's disappointment with the result of AJ's (Allmendinger) B sample test and will work closely with them to determine plans moving forward. We hope for the best for AJ during this difficult time.”
AJ Allmendinger, through Tara Ragan, President, Walldinger Racing Inc.”
“This was not the news we wanted to hear and we will work to get to the source of what may have caused this. To that end, we have secured the services of an independent lab to conduct thorough testing on every product within AJ's home and motor coach to find what might collaborate with his test, which created results that were within nanograms of accepted standards.
We are working closely with NASCAR and Penske Racing to identify the next action steps in this process. We continue to be extremely grateful by the breadth and scope of support for AJ from his fans and partners. We would like to again thank NASCAR, Penske Racing and all our sponsor partners for the open communication, and for helping us at every step in this process. We expect to have further updates in the upcoming days.”
The last NASCAR Sprint Cup-level driver to receive a similar punishment was Jeremy Mayfield in 2009. Mayfield brought a suit against the sanctioning body, but, was unsuccessful in changing the ruling.
According to a statement released by NASCAR on Tuesday evening:
“On July 24, Allmendinger was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (NASCAR's substance abuse policy) of the 2012 NASCAR rule book.
As outlined in the rule book, NASCAR next will provide Allmendinger a letter outlining a process for reinstatement. By agreeing to the letter, he will be allowed to participate in the Road to Recovery Program.”
While NASCAR has not released the name of the objectionable substance Allmendinger's representatives, previously, said NASCAR found “a stimulant,” but denied that the driver intentionally consumed any improper substance.
AJ Allmendinger has not driven since NASCAR announced the violation just prior to the start of the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona.
On Tuesday morning a “B” sample was tested at the Aegis Laboratories pursuant to a request by the driver or his representatives and that test had the same results as the “A” sample.
Under NASCAR rules the specimen obtained was divided into a part “A” and a part “B.”
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| Photo: NASCAR |
Penske Racing issued the following reaction.
“In accordance with NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy, Penske Racing was notified today of AJ Allmendinger's positive B sample test. We respect NASCAR's policy and the process they have taken with this matter.
Penske Racing is very disappointed with the result of the B sample test and will evaluate its course of action as it pertains to AJ over the coming week. Sam Hornish Jr., will drive the No. 22 Dodge Charger this weekend at Indianapolis and next weekend at Pocono.”
Hornish had filled in for Allmendinger at Cup races at Daytona and New Hampshire.
Then Shell Oil the sponsor of the No. 22 Dodge issued a reaction:
“Shell and Pennzoil believe that the process and procedures that NASCAR has in place as part of their substance abuse policy are appropriate and serve to ensure that the sport and its participants are held to the highest standards.
We share Penske Racing's disappointment with the result of AJ's (Allmendinger) B sample test and will work closely with them to determine plans moving forward. We hope for the best for AJ during this difficult time.”
AJ Allmendinger, through Tara Ragan, President, Walldinger Racing Inc.”
“This was not the news we wanted to hear and we will work to get to the source of what may have caused this. To that end, we have secured the services of an independent lab to conduct thorough testing on every product within AJ's home and motor coach to find what might collaborate with his test, which created results that were within nanograms of accepted standards.
We are working closely with NASCAR and Penske Racing to identify the next action steps in this process. We continue to be extremely grateful by the breadth and scope of support for AJ from his fans and partners. We would like to again thank NASCAR, Penske Racing and all our sponsor partners for the open communication, and for helping us at every step in this process. We expect to have further updates in the upcoming days.”
The last NASCAR Sprint Cup-level driver to receive a similar punishment was Jeremy Mayfield in 2009. Mayfield brought a suit against the sanctioning body, but, was unsuccessful in changing the ruling.