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In a short statement NASCAR officials announced that A.J. Allmendinger was "reinstated upon his successful completion of NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy Road to Recovery Program".
Allmendinger had been "indefinitely suspended from NASCAR on July 24 for violating the sanctioning body's substance abuse policy".
After failing a random drug test Allmendinger asked for the “B” sample to be tested; which produced similar results. And Penske Racing suspended its' contract with the 30-year old Californian. While NASCAR has not disclosed what substance tested positive, the driver himself said the test showed Adderall, which is a prescription drug. NASCAR rules call for drivers to advise the sanctioning body what medicines they are taking.
In the meantime Sam Hornish Jr. has driven the #22 Dodge for Penske Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. But Joey Logano, who currently drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, will take the wheel of the #22 which will be a Ford starting next year.
Speaking on Sirius XM Satellite Radio Allmendinger was very forthcoming about his behavior. “One bad judgment that I made that I really paid the price for,” he said. Speaking about the Road to Recovery he added “I'll be a better person for it. I don't care if I get drug tested every day for the rest of my life. I've got nothing to hide, they (NASCAR) have the option (drug) they have that right I don't have any objections.
Finding another ride at a time of financial troubles compounded by being the closing weeks of the 2012 season is daunting. Although there might be a light at the end of the tunnel for the driver. He was Penske's guest at the IndyCar season closer in Fontana last Saturday night. There might be a return to IndyCar for Penske if Ryan Briscoe is not signed for 2013.
It was like a return to his roots where he came to Penske's attention in the first place.
"It was fun to be at Fontana last weekend," Allmendinger said "With Roger asking me to be a guest there seeing people I hadn't seen in seven years. It was great. After all that's happened I feel closer to him than when I was his driver.
The biggest regret I have is letting Roger down. I was always afraid to ask for advice I didn't want to seem weak. I didn't want to bother anybody.”
Moving forward he added "Roger is the first person I'll turn to every time. I feel like he really does truly care about me."
Allmendinger had been "indefinitely suspended from NASCAR on July 24 for violating the sanctioning body's substance abuse policy".
After failing a random drug test Allmendinger asked for the “B” sample to be tested; which produced similar results. And Penske Racing suspended its' contract with the 30-year old Californian. While NASCAR has not disclosed what substance tested positive, the driver himself said the test showed Adderall, which is a prescription drug. NASCAR rules call for drivers to advise the sanctioning body what medicines they are taking.
In the meantime Sam Hornish Jr. has driven the #22 Dodge for Penske Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. But Joey Logano, who currently drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, will take the wheel of the #22 which will be a Ford starting next year.
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| Photo: NASCAR |
Speaking on Sirius XM Satellite Radio Allmendinger was very forthcoming about his behavior. “One bad judgment that I made that I really paid the price for,” he said. Speaking about the Road to Recovery he added “I'll be a better person for it. I don't care if I get drug tested every day for the rest of my life. I've got nothing to hide, they (NASCAR) have the option (drug) they have that right I don't have any objections.
Finding another ride at a time of financial troubles compounded by being the closing weeks of the 2012 season is daunting. Although there might be a light at the end of the tunnel for the driver. He was Penske's guest at the IndyCar season closer in Fontana last Saturday night. There might be a return to IndyCar for Penske if Ryan Briscoe is not signed for 2013.
It was like a return to his roots where he came to Penske's attention in the first place.
"It was fun to be at Fontana last weekend," Allmendinger said "With Roger asking me to be a guest there seeing people I hadn't seen in seven years. It was great. After all that's happened I feel closer to him than when I was his driver.
The biggest regret I have is letting Roger down. I was always afraid to ask for advice I didn't want to seem weak. I didn't want to bother anybody.”
Moving forward he added "Roger is the first person I'll turn to every time. I feel like he really does truly care about me."