Allmendinger enters NASCAR recovery program
AJ Allmendinger will participate in NASCAR's Road to Recovery program, which is the first step toward being allowed to return to the circuit after he tested positive for a banned substance.
"It's designed, as proven, to provide a road map leading to a return to competition, and we wish him the best of luck," NASCAR said in a statement Wednesday. "As we have with other competitors, we look forward to the day when the program administrator recommends him for reinstatement."
Allmendinger, the driver of the No. 22 Penske Racing Dodge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, was suspended indefinitely from NASCAR competition after his backup "B" urine sample collected June 29 came back positive Tuesday for a banned substance.
Allmendinger was initially suspended July 7 before the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway after his "A" sample collected during a random drug test the previous weekend at Kentucky Speedway also tested positive. Both the "A" and "B" samples were collected at the same time.
Allmendinger must meet with a substance abuse counselor this week to begin the program and the completion of the program does not include a definitive timeline.
According to a NASCAR statement issued Tuesday evening, Allmendinger will next be provided with a letter outlining a process for reinstatement. Allmendinger will be cleared to be recommended for a return to competition upon completion of the Road to Recovery program.
