Nascar Driver Allmendinger Indefinitely Suspended Following Positive Drug Test

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NASCAR driver Allmendinger indefinitely suspended following positive drug test < br />

2012-07-26 08:00:08 GMT+7 (ICT)

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA (BNO NEWS) -- National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) driver AJ Allmendinger has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR competition following a confirmation of a positive drug test administered last month, officials announced Tuesday.

The random drug test was first administered by NASCAR on June 29 and both Allmendinger and his team owner, Roger Penske, were notified of the positive test on July 7. Allmendinger was also informed at that time that he would be temporarily suspended, and the suspension was changed to indefinite on Tuesday.

NASCAR officials, in announcing the positive test earlier this month, announced that it was Allmendinger's "A" sample that had came back positive for an unidentified substance and that Allmendinger had 72 hours to ask for his "B" sample to be tested. He later requested that sample be tested and the test was performed Tuesday.

Penske Racing, the team that Allmendinger races for, released the a statement upon learning of Allmendinger's first positive test. "NASCAR notified Penske Racing this afternoon that AJ Allmendinger was administered a drug test earlier this week, and those results tested positive," it said. "NASCAR has a strict drug testing program that Penske Racing fully supports. Penske Racing will work with NASCAR through this process and its next steps."

Team officials quickly pulled Allmendinger's Dodge off the grid for that night's Coke Zero 400 and fitted the seat for Sam Hornish Jr., a former sprint cup driver for the team, to be able to fill-in. Hornish has competed in each race since.

After the results of the "B" sample, which was taken at the same time as his "A" sample but separated into a different cup, Penske Racing said they were disappointed with the news. "In accordance with NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy, Penske Racing was notified today of AJ Allmendinger's positive B sample test," a statement said. "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."

Allmendinger's manager, Tara Regan, said the team is working to determine the source of the positive drug test. "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," she said. "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."

Shell/Penzoil, which is the primary sponsor of Allmendinger's NASCAR racecar, said they believe NASCAR's substance abuse policy is appropriate and serves 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 B sample test and will work closely with them to determine plans moving forward," a spokesperson said. "We hope for the best for AJ during this difficult time."

If Allmendinger, who is a former CART champion, wants to be reinstated by NASCAR, he will first have to complete a recovery program outlined by NASCAR in their rulebook, and this program will be designed specifically for him. Allmendinger is currently signed to a one-year contract with Penske Racing. He was arrested in 2009 and charged with drinking while intoxicated.

This is the first time since 2009 that a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver was suspended for a positive drug test. Jeremy Mayfield previously tested positive for methamphetamine and is still suspended by NASCAR.

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