Allmendinger’s Road to Recovery may land him back with Penske
AJ Allmendinger lost his ride last year due to failing the NASCAR random drug test. He ended up in the NASCAR Road to Recovery and made his return to racing. Now it appears his former team boss will give him a shot in an IndyCar.
Eric Gilbert
Roger Penske had to fire his talented NASCAR-Cup driver last year when he was suspended by NASCAR for failing the random drug test program. Per their findings of him using a prohibited substance, which he later explained to his friends and fans, Allmendinger entered the Road to Recovery program.
Just recently, it was announced that Allmendinger would stay with Phoenix Racing whom he ran a few races with last year after his suspension was lifted. He had already been named, along with Regan Smith to share the No. 51 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
No doubt Allmendinger is looking for a full season ride in either IndyCar or NASCAR. He already is tagged as one of Michael Shank Racing’s extra driver for the long endurance races in the Grand-Am Road Racing series. MSR team owner has been attempting to put an IndyCar team together so perhaps a mutual agreement between Shank and Penske might take place, opening the door for both Shank to return as a team owner to open-wheel racing along with his good friend Allmendinger.
The IndyCar team that he will test with at Sebring is none other than Penske Racing. Yes his former boss is giving him a chance. The test will take place in less than two weeks.
Penske has three IndyCars but he also has three drivers from the past years. Hard to believe he will cut one of his hot-shoes for the full season, unless earlier rumors see him scale down to two IZOD IndyCars. Still there is a chance Allmendinger might, at least, run the prestigious Indianapolis 500.
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