A.J. Allmendinger has been suspended from NASCAR temporarily after failing a random drug test.
NASCAR announced the suspension of the Penske Racing driver 90 minutes before the start of the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday.
As a result of the suspension, Sam Hornish Jr, who drives for Penske Racing in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series, is scheduled to drive the No.22 Dodge in tonight’s Coke Zero 400.
According to NASCAR’s Senior Vice President, Steve O’Donnell, the test was administered to Allmendinger last weekend at Kentucky Speedway.
O’Donnell also stated that Allmendinger will be allowed to request a second drug test in 72 hours and the situation will be further determined from there.
There is no word at the time on either the status of Allmendinger’s job at Penske Racing or whether he will request the second test.
Official Release from NASCAR:
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 7, 2012) – 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.