NORTH CAROLINA- AJ Almendinger was tested at the Kentucky race last June. It ended up that Almendinger failed his drug test and they found out two hours before the race at Daytona.
With very little time on there hands hey had to replace Almendinger with Sam Hornish Jr. They contacted Sam Hornish Jr two hours before the green flag dropped.
Roger Penske sent out his private jet to pick up Hornish Jr. in North Carolina and that gave Sam very little time to get ready for the race. However, Hornish Jr. made it on to pit road before the race was started. Hornish Jr. finished 32nd in that race.
After Almendinger was tested positive, he requested to have a B sample test. Allmendinger got the sample B test results and they were also positive. Those results have resulted in Allmendiinger being suspended indefinably from NASCAR unless he completes NASCAR’s road to recovery program.
Today Roger Penske announced that Allmendinger will no longer drive for Penske Racing and that Hornish Jr will race the rest of the season in the Penske Dodge No.22 car.
“AJ is a terrific driver, a good person and it is very unfortunate that we have to separate at this time. We have invested greatly in AJ and we were confident in his success with our team. The decision to dismiss him is consistent with how we would treat any other Penske Racing team member under similar circumstances.”
