AJ Allmendinger to run nine races, Bud Shootout for Richard Petty Motorsports
Richard Petty Motorsports officials announced Wednesday the organization has signed AJ Allmendinger to drive its No. 44 Dodge in the Budweiser Shootout, the first eight races of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season and in the July race in Daytona.
The team said in a news release it is trying to put together sponsorship for Allmendinger to race the entire 2009-10 seasons. Allmendinger’s contract is for one year, with a team option for 2010.
“This is pretty awesome news for me,” Allmendinger said. “I just want to get behind the wheel of a race car and race. We have a lot of work to do on the track and need to sell some sponsorship, but this team has great equipment and I think there is a lot of chemistry here based on how we did at the end of last season.”
Richard Petty Motorsports was formed after the alliance between Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprises. Allmendinger drove five races in Gillett Evernham’s No. 10 Dodge last year, posting a best finish of 11th at Homestead.
“I cannot put into words how excited I am to run the No. 44 in 2009,” Allmendinger said. “I raced with these guys five times last year and loved everything about it. The cars were great, the guys were great and we put up some pretty good results. I’m just very grateful to have this opportunity.”
Allmendinger is entering his third season in NASCAR after leaving Champ Cars.
“AJ has a ton of potential,” team co-owner Richard Petty said. “I went testing with him a few weeks ago. When he climbed out of the car I think he went to everyone working on the car asking them questions and wanting to know what was going on. That’s the kind of thing you want out of your driver. He’s a young guy and I think we can help him and he can help us.”
The team said Sammy Johns will serve as Allmendinger’s crew chief. Allmendinger joins Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Reed Sorenson as drivers for Richard Petty Motorsports.
