BREAKING: Penske Releases Allmendinger

Penske Racing has released suspended driver A.J. Allmendinger after positive drug tests. Allmendinger was suspended indefinitely after the independent test of his "B" sample confirmed a positive from his "A" sample that occurred at a random drug test at Kentucky Speedway in mid-July.

Penske racing released the following statement:

"Penske Racing fully supports NASCAR's substance abuse policy and we are disappointed with A.J.'s positive drug test results. A.J. 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 A.J. 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 A.J. begins NASCAR's 'Road to Recovery' program, we wish him the best and look forward to seeing him compete again in NASCAR."

Allmendinger responded with one of his own...

"Effective today, I have been released from Penske Racing as driver of the No. 22 Dodge Charger. 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. 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, Junior is set to drive the 22 car "for the foreseeable future." according to Penske.

Here are the Rowdy Racing guys discussing at the time of the first positive test...

DEVELOPING: Dinger Dinged On Substance Abuse Policy

NASCAR's Steve O'Donnell just had a press conference at Daytona and announced that AJ Allmendinger's "A" sample registered a positive result.

As per NASCAR's rules, Allmendinger has a 72-hour window to request that his "B" sample be tested to either confirm or question a positive drug test.

Sam Hornish, Junior was scheduled to do programming for Speed this evening in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was waiting for a plane to pick him up in Charlotte in an attempt to have him fill in for the #22 car in Daytona this evening.

More when we know more...

PM UPDATE: Roger Penske is having to deal with all of this activity from Europe. The words currently being used considering Allmendinger's situation is "temporarily suspended" where NASCAR is concerned.

Here's the release from NASCAR their ownselves...

Driver AJ Allmendinger has been temporarily suspended from NASCAR competition based upon notification of a positive “A” test NASCAR received from the Medical Review Officer as stated in Section 19-11B (6,7) of the NASCAR Substance Abuse Policy. Pursuant to the rule book, Allmendinger has the opportunity to request within the next 72 hours that his “B” sample be tested.

NASCAR will follow its policies and procedures set forth in the rule book in dealing with this matter.

NASCAR Talking To Danica

((HT: ESPN on ABC/NASCAR))

Here's what happened after the Nationwide race Saturday...


So, now it appears that the guys in the truck are going to speak to the JR Motorsports driver after her attempt to rub out Sam Hornish, Junior...

As you saw, Hornish apologized after the race (whether Patrick believed it or not) and still got put in the wall for his efforts as, apparently, he had a tire going down.

So much for remembering their Indy days...