AJ Allmendinger fails drug test

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My buddy claims he heard on MRN radio that Hornish has to rush to the race and may not make the start of it. Hornish, I believe plans to drive the 22.
 

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Allmendinger says he tested positive for stimulant


By JENNA FRYER
AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Suspended NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger said Wednesday that he tested positive for a stimulant and was collecting his medicines and supplements in an attempt to figure out what got him in trouble.

A statement issued by Allmendinger's business manager did not identify the stimulant and said the driver does not know what caused him to fail the random test conducted June 29. He was suspended Saturday and NASCAR has not revealed the substance, either.

"AJ tested positive for a stimulant. He has no idea why the first test was positive, and he has never knowingly taken any prohibited substance," said Tara Ragan, vice president of Allmendinger's Walldinger Racing Inc. "AJ is collecting his medicines and supplements for testing to determine whether an over-the-counter product caused his positive test."

Allmendinger is the second Sprint Cup Series driver to be suspended under the NASCAR drug policy implemented in 2009. The 30-year-old Allmendinger has requested his "B'' urine sample be tested, and it's not clear when that will occur.

Allmendinger said Tuesday that he would never knowingly take a prohibited substance.

"Obviously I would never do anything to jeopardize my opportunity here at Penske Racing or to my fellow drivers. I am very conscious about my training and health and would never knowingly take a prohibited drug," he said.

According to NASCAR's drug policy, a stimulant is defined as "amphetamine, methamphetamine, Ecstasy (MDMA), Eve (MDEA), MDA, PMA, Phentermine, and other amphetamine derivatives and related compounds."

In March, Allmendinger signed on as a brand ambassador for "Fuel in a Bottle," energy and protein power shots owned by Charlotte-based BYB Brands, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

There's been no official link to his positive test and the power shots. The March press release announcing the partnership with Allmendinger described "Fuel in a Bottle" as a booster that "provides a quick energy boost in convenient 2-ounce liquid form. It is packed with B vitamins, is sugar free and has zero calories."

The power boost includes "essential amino acids that your body needs," the release said. "Both varieties of Fuel in a Bottle allow consumers to recharge in minutes. Run stronger for hours."

Among the ingredients listed on the label are L-Phenylalanine and caffeine, which are both mild stimulants.

Jeremy Mayfield, the first driver to be suspended under the policy, tested positive for methamphetamine. He has denied for more than three years that he ever took meth, and blamed the positive test on a mix of an over-the-counter allergy remedy and a prescription for attention deficit disorder.

Rather than go through NASCAR's recovery program, Mayfield fought in court to have his suspension overturned. He abandoned his bid earlier this year.

Ragan said Allmendinger is working through NASCAR's process to resolve the issue.

"AJ and all of us at Walldinger Racing respect NASCAR's testing program, and he has requested that his "B'' sample be tested as part of the process of getting to the bottom of this," she said. "We will have the opportunity to review all of the scientific data surrounding the test following the "B'' sample test, but our understanding is that AJ's test was slightly above the threshold."

The suspension was announced hours before Saturday night's race at Daytona International Speedway and Sam Hornish Jr. was hustled in to race in Allmendinger's place. Penske Racing has already said that Hornish will drive the No. 22 Dodge this weekend at New Hampshire.

The team has not discussed its plans for its first-year driver. Allmendinger was hired in late December after Penske's sudden split with Kurt Busch opened the highly-coveted seat.

Meanwhile, sports car team owner Michael Shank issued a statement of support for Allmendinger, whom he referred to as "a friend of mine, actually more like a brother."

Shank and Allmendinger last October partnered to form an IndyCar Series team, but a lack of sponsorship prevented them from fielding a car this season. But Allmendinger has competed for Michael Shank Racing for years in the prestigious Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona sports car race, and in January he anchored the race-winning entry for 1 of the biggest career victories for both driver and owner.

"I stand 100% behind him in this challenging time," Shank said. "He has stood behind me and been loyal to my team for seven years, even when we let him down he never considered bailing on me and my team. I will certainly never leave him behind when tough times come for him. No matter what happens he will stay my friend and continue to drive for me whenever possible."
 

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Good article. I'll stick behind AJ as well and say he is probably telling the truth. FDA does not regulate protein powders or supplements, and some out there can make you fail drug test. I think it all works out for AJ in the end, unlike Mayfield, who was obviously using meth and didn't give a pooh about anyone but himself. I've met AJ twice as he raced a Super Late Model here locally a few years ago, and he is a stand up guy. BOL to him in the future once this is cleared.
 

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Matty, I'm a dirt guy who has been to almost every dirt track in the SE over the years....so I relate to you bigtime. You know racing and do some yourself. I respect that but I differ with your opinion on Allmendiger....I've never liked this guy from day one. Cocky punk in my opinion. Earn it before you spout it.

Now guilty of this Nascar situation I don't know.....guess we will see.

Johnson, Stewart, Gordon, Earnhardt, Edwards, etc....many years and not one Goddirn charge. Why is that?
 

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Clover, let me rephrase myself to be more clearer because I somewhat agree with you. I guess wanting to believe his story on why he failed has to do more with on what I know about what his claim is on why he failed more than his character. I gave him more credit than he deserves with the "stand up guy" comment. He was a good guy that night in my eyes because he was actually nice to the kids and folks who approached him. He stunk it up badly on the track that night(Cherokee Speedway), and quite frankly, I was glad to see it. I guess I'm still giving him the benefit of the doubt on Sample B, but it he fails or causes more trouble, it's a shame because I see handfuls of racers each and every weekend that could make him look bad. He is a punk the more I think about it...
 
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What are the odds that the B sample test will clear A J? It may be weeks before any more information is sent out to the press about his B sample test.
I find it amazing that MLB and NFL do not take this long with there drug test.
 

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A.J. Allmendinger has failed his backup "B" sample test and has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR, the sanctioning body said in a release late Tuesday night.

Allmendinger had contested through his business manager that the positive test was from a stimulant. Tara Ragan said the health-conscious driver was rummaging through his supplements to locate what might have caused the initial positive "A" sample test.
In a statement after the "B" sample — which was tested Tuesday morning in Nashville — came back positive, Ragan said, "This was not the news we wanted to hear, and we will work to get to the source of what may have caused this. To that end, we have secured the services of an independent lab to conduct thorough testing on every product within A.J.'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."
The result is a damaging blow to Allmendinger's career in the Sprint Cup Series. The indefinite suspension means he has to complete a "Road to Recovery Program" set by NASCAR that might include counseling, treatment or rehabilitation. As a driver who has never won in Cup, he likely would have a tough time climbing back into a premier ride whenever if he completes the rehabilitation program — which has taken anywhere from a few months to more than year for NASCAR members to be reinstated.
Allmendinger will be replaced by Sam Hornish Jr. for the third consecutive race in the No. 22 Dodge at Sunday's Brickyard 400, according to Penske Racing.
In a statement, Penske Racing 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 A.J. over the coming week."
 

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