Allmendinger has been suspended temporarily by NASCAR for failing a random drug test

4re Nut · Jul 7, 2012

Yikes: http://www.nascar.com/news/120707/aallmendinger-suspended-substance-abuse-test/index.html

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- AJ Allmendinger has been suspended temporarily by NASCAR for failing a random drug test.

Allmendinger's Penske Racing team put Nationwide Series regular Sam Hornish Jr. in the No. 22 car for Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway, according to a statement. Allmendinger underwent a random drug test administered last weekend at Kentucky Speedway, and his 'A' sample from that test came up positive, according to Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR's senior vice president for racing operations.

* O'Donnell announces Allmendinger's suspension

O'Donnell added that Allmendinger had 72 hours to request a test of his 'B' sample, per the NASCAR rule book. If he declines that test, or if that test also comes up positive, his suspension will become indefinite.

The Penske team said NASCAR notified it of Allmendinger's suspension Saturday afternoon. "NASCAR has a strict drug testing program that Penske Racing fully supports," the team said in a statement. "Penske Racing will work with NASCAR through this process and its next steps. Sam Hornish Jr. will drive the No. 22 car in tonight's Coke Zero 400."

Allmendinger's Penske teammate, Brad Keselowski, added on Twitter: "No comments on 22 car tonight as we focus on tonight's race. Thank [you] in advance."

Hornish had returned to the Charlotte, N.C., area after Friday night's Nationwide race at Daytona, and was flying back to the speedway late Saturday afternoon.

Allmendinger is the highest-profile driver to test positive under NASCAR's substance-abuse policy since Jeremy Mayfield did so in 2009. Rather than submit to NASCAR's path to reinstatement -- which varies depending on the individual, and can include further medical evaluation or treatment -- Mayfield filed suit against the sanctioning body, precipitating a drawn-out legal tussle that ended when his case was dismissed by a federal court earlier this year.

Allmendinger, in his first season with Penske, was hired to drive the No. 22 car after Kurt Busch parted ways with the organization late last year. He stood 23rd in Sprint Cup standings entering Saturday night's event. Hornish endured a rocky tenure at the Sprint Cup level before finding his footing in the Nationwide Series, where he is currently fourth in championship points.
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That Penske/Pennzoil ride might be cursed!

Good luck to Sam.

Turbopanzer · Jul 7, 2012

One too many Doobies!!!!

4re Nut · Jul 7, 2012

Turbopanzer said: ↑

One too many Doobies!!!!
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Or too few cleanses.

BartonWorkman · Jul 8, 2012

Bad joo-joo for Penske lately.

The whole Kurt Busch affair, an embarrassing Indy 500,
the Detroit debacle and now this.

BHW

Simon^2 · Jul 8, 2012

Just coincidental the race was sponsored by "Coke?

4re Nut · Jul 8, 2012

Simon^2 said: ↑

Just coincidental the race was sponsored by "Coke?
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http://instantrimshot.com/index.php?sound=rimshot&play=true

4re Nut · Jul 8, 2012

http://www.speedtv.com/video/nascar/cup-penske-hornish-jr-on-allmendinger-2012-1726210594001/1#_vtop

Turbopanzer · Jul 8, 2012

I hope AJ gets cleared. Hate to think a guy gets suspended for doing too much of a NASCAR sponsor's drug. "Claritin" is on the list I believe. Allergys are tough this year!

4re Nut · Jul 8, 2012

Turbopanzer said: ↑

I hope AJ gets cleared. Hate to think a guy gets suspended for doing too much of a NASCAR sponsor's drug. "Claritin" is on the list I believe. Allergys are tough this year!
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I haven't seen this sponsor in awhile; perhaps on the banned list?

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Whisky · Jul 8, 2012

4re Nut said: ↑

I haven't seen this sponsor in awhile; perhaps on the banned list?

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I have not seen that car since Mark Martin went into the wall HARD at Charlotte and LIMPED back to the pits...

4re Nut · Jul 9, 2012

Whisky said: ↑

I have not seen that car since Mark Martin went into the wall HARD at Charlotte and LIMPED back to the pits...
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See this post...

4re Nut said: ↑

http://instantrimshot.com/index.php?sound=rimshot&play=true
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4re Nut · Jul 9, 2012

http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/8143149/sam-hornish-jr-remain-aj-allmendinger-no-22-car

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Sam Hornish Jr. will remain in the No. 22 Dodge at Penske Racing for Sunday's Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire while AJ Allmendinger deals with a suspension for a failed drug test...

Team officials and NASCAR have declined to comment on the substance found in Allmendinger's initial "A" sample test. They are waiting on results of a "B" sample to confirm results. That could take up to five days, which could run into the New Hampshire Cup schedule that begins Friday.

If the second sample confirms the initial test, Allmendinger would have to participate in NASCAR's "Road to Recovery'' program before being allowed back in the sport. That could be a lengthy process...
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b-mak · Jul 24, 2012

And poor AJ is done. So long, career.

4re Nut · Jul 24, 2012

b-mak said: ↑

And poor AJ is done. So long, career.
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Ugh, http://www.nascar.com/news/120724/aallmendinger-suspended-b-test-fail/index.html

AJ Allmendinger has been suspended indefinitely after a second sample from a drug test collected earlier this month violated the league's substance abuse policy, according to NASCAR.

The driver of the No. 22 car at Penske Racing will next receive a letter from NASCAR outlining the terms and conditions of potential reinstatement. If Allmendinger chooses to participate, the following step would be further medical examination or treatment, according to NASCAR's Road to Recovery program.

NASCAR did not reveal the substance for which Allmendinger tested positive, citing the privacy of the individual involved. The testing of the "B" sample was conducted Tuesday at Aegis Sciences Corp. in Nashville, Tenn., which administers NASCAR's substance-abuse program. Allmendinger had a toxicologist of his own present for the test.

"This was not the news we wanted to hear and we will work to get to the source of what may have caused this," Tara Ragan, Allmendinger's business manager said in a statement. "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."

Sam Hornish Jr. will continue to drive the No. 22 while Allmendinger is suspended.

"We respect NASCAR's policy and the process they have taken with this matter," the Penske team said in a statement. "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."

NASCAR announced July 7 that Allmendinger's "A" sample from a random drug test conducted the previous weekend at Kentucky had violated the substance-abuse policy, and the driver had been suspended temporarily. Hornish, a regular competitor for Penske in the Nationwide Series, was flown back from Charlotte to race in that night's event at Daytona International Speedway, and also competed last week at New Hampshire in Allmendinger's usual No. 22 car.

On July 11, Ragan released a statement saying the driver had tested positive for a "stimulant." She added that Allmendinger was uncertain as to what could have led to the positive test, and that he was attempting to determine if it could have been inadvertently triggered by his consumption of an over-the-counter product.
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Shell must be going nuts over the luck they've had with drivers in that ride the last year or so.

Oh well, the racing goes on and let's hope Hornish can make a positive out of this for his career. One open-wheeler's loss is another's gain.

GuyIncognito · Jul 24, 2012

b-mak said: ↑

And poor AJ is done. So long, career.
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yep.

what is the "stimulant" that he tested positive for? that's the $64,000 question.

4re Nut · Jul 24, 2012

GuyIncognito said: ↑

...what is the "stimulant" that he tested positive for? that's the $64,000 question.
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Damn northwest hippies are bringing down NASCAR!

http://tripleleagueracing.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/nascar-launches-starbucks-investigation/

Today NASCAR officials launched an internal investigation into Starbucks. This comes in light of accusations that they have been selling performance enhancing stimulants in the vicinity of many NASCAR venues. “This illegal stimulant know as ‘caffeine’ is something we simply don’t approve of” explains a NASCAR representative. “Following last Sunday’s race we tested what Starbucks is calling a ‘Grande Cafe Drip’ and were beside ourselves when the results came back.” NASCAR has long had a strict drug policy in place. “Be it heroin, taurine or caffeine we, at NASCAR, really don’t care. Rules are rules and we will pursue this to the fullest extent.” When questioned about these accusations Gary White of Starbucks responded “We aren’t terribly surprised. I mean I’ve followed NASCAR for years and we’re talking about a group of guys that don’t even know where half of their cautions come from. Does anyone honestly think they know what chemicals should or shouldn’t be legal?”

We’ve seen a split in fan reaction over this, however. “Rules are rules” said long time NASCAR fan Red Baker, “if there weren’t rules then their wouldn’t be a ruler and NASCAR would be out of a job see! We have enough Americans without jobs as it is.” When asked to explain further the interviewer was called a communist and punched in the jaw. On the opposing side of the issue Jeff Foster responded “Caffeine? Seriously? How many drivers are sponsored by cola and energy drinks? I don’t see any difference.”

NASCAR seems to have a credibility issue these days regarding everything from its drug policy to their, so called, phantom cautions. “We take a strong line against things like coffee.” stated Mike Helton in yesterday’s press conference. “If there are guys out there using it we will find it. These guys thinks there’s a difference between this and doping up. Well I’ve got news for them; in our rule book they’re the same thing!” If any of the top NASCAR brass knows what they’re talking about it’s Helton who himself went through NASCAR’s “Road to Recovery” program after testing positive for a mustache stimulant back in 2002.
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Whisky · Jul 25, 2012

4re Nut said: ↑

Shell must be going nuts over the luck they've had with drivers in that ride the last year or so.
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Shell was stupid to drop RCR Kevin Harvick - rumor has it they were not convinced Harvick could win 'the chase', that's why they split.
Shell will decide who the next driver will be (2013) - and I doubt it is going to be Hornish.

GuyIncognito · Jul 25, 2012

Whisky said: ↑

Shell was stupid to drop RCR Kevin Harvick - rumor has it they were not convinced Harvick could win 'the chase', that's why they split.
Shell will decide who the next driver will be (2013) - and I doubt it is going to be Hornish.
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which is a shame, I really like Hornish.

4re Nut · Jul 25, 2012

GuyIncognito said: ↑

which is a shame, I really like Hornish.
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And so do sponsors...on IndyCars.

schumacherf2006 · Jul 25, 2012

b-mak said: ↑

And poor AJ is done. So long, career.
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I watched him race in the Skip Barber series after he went through their program.... so long AJ

GuyIncognito · Jul 25, 2012

4re Nut said: ↑

And so do sponsors...on IndyCars.
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apparently not since he basically sat out the last 2 years and couldn't get a ride in Indycar.

BartonWorkman · Jul 25, 2012

All this from a series who's title sponsor for
the better part of four decades was a major
cigarette brand.

I smell a witch hunt.

BHW

Str8shooter · Jul 25, 2012

BartonWorkman said: ↑

All this from a series who's title sponsor for
the better part of four decades was a major
cigarette brand.

I smell a witch hunt.

BHW
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Why is Winston no longer a sponsor in NASCAR?

Kaivball · Jul 25, 2012

Str8shooter said: ↑

Why is Winston no longer a sponsor in NASCAR?
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It's a cigarette...

Kai

Str8shooter · Jul 25, 2012

Kaivball said: ↑

It's a cigarette...

Kai
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I know what it is. I was just wondering why NASCAR would accept sponsorship from a product that was perfectly acceptable some four decades ago. Then drop them having learned how toxic smoking is and ban them from any sponsorship in the sport. This past July race at Daytona they even went as far as banning smoking in the stands.

It seems to me that NASCAR is evolving with the times and trying to become more health conscious in an effort to better their sport and the fans that watch it. I don't see the hypocrisy that was insinuated.

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