New reports about A.J. Allmendinger indicate that his participation in NASCAR's Road to Recovery program may take longer than he previously mentioned in an interview. There have also been new allegations about his positive drug test. Allmendinger and his manager have not issued a statement to clarify the latest rumors, but I think the new twist to the controversy has split more of his fans into opposite sides of support and abandonment.
The Latest Rumors About A.J. Allmendinger
After his interview with ESPN on Aug. 7, the news surrounding A.J. Allmendinger's suspension from NASCAR and release from Penske Racing seemed to diminish. The driver tested positive for an amphetamine, and Allmendinger claimed that he accepted a pill for Adderall from a friend because he believed it was a simple energy supplement. Now, new rumors about his drug test and participation in the Road to Recovery program have surfaced.
An unidentified source mentioned by ESPN claims that the driver did not test positive by only taking one dose of Adderall. The source points out that this was "very unlikely" to occur. In addition, A.J. Allmendinger previously indicated that he planned to finish NASCAR's Road to Recovery program by the end of August. The same source claims that this is "not going to happen." This seems to confirm previous rumors that the program could take up to a year for successful completion because it involves multiple drug tests.
Fan Responses to the Latest Allmendinger Controversy
Despite the lack of updates from Allmendinger on his personal website or social media accounts, these networks still have frequent fan visits and comments. The latest controversy has continued to split his community. On his official Facebook page, he still has some fan support, but the ongoing rumors are having an impact.
Many fans have questioned A.J. Allmendinger's explanation for the positive drug test. Why would he allow a friend to jeopardize his entire NASCAR career by accepting an unknown substance? The information from the unidentified source mentioned by ESPN confirms some of the doubts from fans. His silence on the latest set of rumors that indicate his progress with the Road to Recovery program is not over also seems ominous.
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Growing up in Indiana, Lana developed a love for motorsports at an early age. She follows NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula One. Follow @Lana_Bandoim on Twitter.
