AJ Allmendinger Fails "B" Test, Suspended Indefinitely

For a little more than a week, AJ Allmendinger's last chance of reinstatement lay in the results of the test of his "B" urine sample.

But in less than 12 hours, that last glimmer of disappeared for good.

After waiting for more than two weeks for the final results to be come in, Allmendigner has failed his "B" test Tuesday, meaning he has been suspended from Nascar competition indefinitely. This makes the Penske Racing wheelman the second driver to be suspended under Nascar's stricter, zero-tolerance drug policy. The sanctioning body also nabbed Jeremey Mayfield in 2009 and, after being embroiled in a long legal battle disputing Nascar's results, Mayfield has never driven again.

It is Nascar's policy to not reveal what substance a driver tests positive for, but Allmendinger and his business manager have both said it was a "stimulant." Allmendinger is currently gathering everything in both his home and his motor coach to send for analysis to determine what it was that may have triggered the positive result. Allmendinger's business manager, Tara Ragan, said the results "were within nanograms of acceptable standards."

"This was not the result we wanted to hear and we will work to get to the source of what may have caused this," Ragan said. "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."

Penske Racing also put out a statement saying the organization was "very disappointed with the results of this latest test. They also said they will "evaluate it's course of action as it pertains o AJ over the coming weeks. Sam Hornish, Jr will drive the No. 22 Dodge Charger this weekend at Indianapolis and next weekend at Pocono."

Sponsor Shell/Pennzoil echoed Penske's sentiment, and sharing in the team's disappointment with their driver.

It was also announced on Wednesday afternoon that Allmendinger will complete Nascar's "Road to Recovery" program. This program will be customized for his particular situation and when he finishes, which may take several month to do, Nascar will consider him for reinstatement.

But when that time does come, it's doubtful that he will have the same No. 22 car waiting for him when he gets back.

Allmendinger Suspended After Failed Drug Test

AJ Allmendinger has been suspended from Nascar

The 2012 season was going to be the best of AJ Allmendiger's young Nascar career. He had landed the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge at Penske Racing and was now teammates with Bread Keselowski, who finished fifth in points in 2011. The 30-year-old California native beamed with optimism all throughout Speedweeks at Daytona in February.

But when the Cup Series returned to Daytona this past weekend, Allmendinger's high hopes and lofty ambitions had gone down in flames. Hard.

About 90-minutes prior to the start of the Coke Zero 400, Nascar's Steve O'Donnell announced that Allmendiger had failed a random drug test the sanctioning body had administered to the driver following the previous week's event at Kentucky Speedway. He was escorted from the speedway and placed on suspension, meaning that Penske Racing had to fly Sam Hornish, Jr down from Charlotte to wheel the No. 22. He arrived on pit road just as the national anthem started.

Sam Hornish, Jr barely made it to the grid at Daytona

Hornish will also be behind the wheel of the Shell-Pennzoil car at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend.

Allmendinger's suspension is only "temporary" because he can choose to have a "B" sample tested. But, if that test proves positive as well or if he chooses not to have it tested at all, the suspension becomes "indefinite." That means he can only come back when Nascar says it's ok to do so.

Meanwhile, Allmendinger has yet to make a statement regarding what happened, expressing his side of the story or pleading his innocence. Penske Racing has released a statement saying they had been notified about the situation and that they fully support Nascar's drug testing policy.

Team owner Roger Penske, who was out of the country when the news broke, called the failed test "a disappointment," but that the team will wait for the "B" sample to be tested before making any decisions about Allmendinger's future. "I don't think it's fair to him," Penske said. "I think as you look at sports, things happen like this. It's unfortunate, but I don't really want to make a statement pro or con right now. I'm counting on another test being proper for him within 72 hours and at that point we'll make a decision."

How much longer will Allmendinger's name be above the
door of the No. 22 car?

Penske said the team was informed about the failed test at around 4 p.m. Saturday, less than four hours before the start of the race. Should Allmendinger choose to have his "B" sample tested, it could take up to five days to confirm the results of the "A" sample.

Allmendinger's publicist has said that the news "shocked" her client, while also describing him as a "health conscious" individual. She would not comment on whether or not the driver would have the "B" sample tested.

Hopefully Allmedinger opts for this second test, if only to try and prove his innocence. It would also give his fans some confidence after three days of silence from their driver and not doing so might be looked upon as an admission of guilt.

Midway through the season that was supposed to be a big breakthrough for Anthony James Allmendinger, it may instead prove to be nothing more than a big washout.


UPDATE: Nascar has confirmed that AJ Allmendinger has requested that the "B" sample be tested. (7/9 10:30 p.m.)