AJ Allmendinger's limited Sprint Cup schedule remains the same - for now

By Jared Turner - SceneDaily Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
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AJ Allmendinger (left) straps into his Richard Petty Motorsports Dodge as team co-owner Richard Petty (right) watches at Daytona International Speedway.

Jason Smith
Getty Images for NASCAR

Richard Petty says that nothing has changed about driver AJ Allmendinger’s schedule for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season – at least for right now.

Allmendinger, who is scheduled to attempt a minimum of eight races for the new Richard Petty Motorsports team but could run more depending on sponsorship, finished third in Sunday’s Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway after racing his way into the event in last Thursday’s Gatorade Duel qualifier.

Asked on Tuesday if the former Champ Car driver’s performance could lead to more starts, team co-owner Petty said the plan hasn’t changed.

“Right now it’s eight automatic, OK, and like I say, if things work out then definitely we’ve got eight automatic and then we’ve got a couple more along in the middle of the season,” Petty said during a conference call with reporters. “So we might speed them up and then fill in somewhere else.”

Even though last Sunday’s outing might not mean more races, Petty was pleased with Allmendinger’s effort and believes it certainly could help the team's quest to attract additional sponsorship.

“It’s got be a plus plus,” Petty said. “I think we’ve got sponsorship for about 10 or 12 races right now … and we feel like if he can continue to show promise and do somewhat close to as good as he did at Daytona, then we feel very confident that we’ll be able to pick up different sponsors over a period of time to be able to continue running him.

“But if he keeps running like at Daytona, I’ll just start running him out of my pocket as far as that’s concerned because he’s just going to bring the money back in.”

Comments

20 responses to "AJ Allmendinger's limited Sprint Cup schedule remains the same - for now". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    Daniel Kulick said:
    Feb 17, 2009 at 5:09 PM

    heck yeah Dinger, Now that's what I'm talkin' about! We need a driver like the class and caliber of AJ around in NASCAR. Sadler, Kahne, and Dinger are going to be the top of the heap for the Dodge camp and for the Championship!

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  2. 2
    Shorty Jr. said:
    Feb 17, 2009 at 5:39 PM

    I wouldn't go as far as Championship Daniel.But it is positive for pullmyfinger.He keeps those runs up I might call him by his real name.He's got my attention for sure.Who knows he might be in that 19 by Daytona(July).

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  3. 3
    Michael Daly said:
    Feb 17, 2009 at 6:49 PM

    I think Richard's just being cautious. I see no scenario where A.J. doesn't run the entire 2009 season in the Petty #44.

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  4. 4
    Gail Burson said:
    Feb 17, 2009 at 6:58 PM

    A. J. Almendinger is great for Nascar. I hope that everyone sees what I see in him. Come on sponsors! He is much better than his teammates!

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  5. 5
    Ron Bleile said:
    Feb 17, 2009 at 8:09 PM

    I think Allemendinger has matured quite a bit since he came into Nascar. I wasn't very impressed with him initially, but I am now.

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  6. 6
    Chelsea said:
    Feb 17, 2009 at 8:15 PM

    I think he's matured even more since the Red Bull thing went down (the Skinner thing and then the firing), too. I've loved him since Day 1 but as time has gone on he's definitely become more mature.

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  7. 7
    Graceann Jackson said:
    Feb 17, 2009 at 9:48 PM

    AJ deserves a full time ride. Hopefully RPM can pull theirselves up and be contenders this season.

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  8. 8
    Andrew Briscoe said:
    Feb 18, 2009 at 12:45 AM

    I really feel bad for AJ right now. He could be driving the #84 for Red Bull, with a guaranteed full ride, but instead he's sweating it out to see if he gets signed to race more races- even though he really deserves a full schedule much more than a bunch of drivers who are going to drive the whole season.

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  9. 9
    Mr Galvan said:
    Feb 18, 2009 at 2:42 AM

    Aj was the best rpm dodge at daytona, and will be one of the best in the next 8 races, he WILL run the full season. if not then the king is losing it.

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  10. 10
    Jesse Christensen said:
    Feb 18, 2009 at 8:12 AM

    Sorenson should be the one out at RPM and give Dinger that seat.

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  11. 11
    Pam Wright said:
    Feb 18, 2009 at 8:19 AM

    I love to watch AJ. In fact besides my other long time favorite driver AJ is now the driver that I want to watch the most. He deserves a full time ride..

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  12. 12
    Howard Englishman said:
    Feb 18, 2009 at 8:33 AM

    AJ is 1 of those drivers that just needs a good crew chief that understands what he needs and he will win plenty of races. He is a good driver for the future of this sport. I like to see these new drivers come in. Its good for the sport.

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  13. 13
    EDWARD SCHANZ said:
    Feb 18, 2009 at 8:41 AM

    AJ is a great up and coming driver with some fire. Sadly, unlike Kyle Petty, whom I felt had no passion for racing at least in the past two years. Nothing I'd like to see more than having Petty DODGES running up front, as when Richard rocked in the STP Dodge Charger in the early and mid 1970s, in the ultimate American stock car! GO AJ, we're pulling for you in the #44 Valvoline DODGE!

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  14. 14
    J C said:
    Feb 18, 2009 at 10:08 AM

    Way to go Dinger!! Sure hope he'll be able to run the full season. He's just a good kid that really appreciates the sport. Red Bull made a huge mistake, if they wanted Speed in a car than like Jimmy Spencer said last year they should have fired Vickers instead.

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  15. 15
    teresa beachler said:
    Feb 18, 2009 at 10:29 AM

    I agree JC, Rd Bull made a big mistake listening to Jaye Frye. You have to wonder if Speed didnt buy his ride with them. AJ will do better than Speed this year for sure.

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  16. 16
    Pamela Johnson said:
    Feb 18, 2009 at 4:19 PM

    I would love to see AJ get full time sponsorship and run the whole season. I think he has the talent and from what I've seen he seems to have good personality. Jimmie will always be my favorite driver but AJ has quickly been moving up the list of other drivers I like and pay attention to. Go AJ!

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  17. 17
    Bernadette Motherway said:
    Feb 18, 2009 at 4:44 PM

    AJ is a gutsy driver...and hungry for a full ride!!!!

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  18. 18
    Jim Bayliss said:
    Feb 18, 2009 at 9:21 PM

    AJ is certainly better than a lot of drivers out there. IF he keeps it up, it will all work out for him. Others will take notice if Petty's doesn't do right by him.

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  19. 19
    Scott Hall said:
    Feb 19, 2009 at 11:58 AM

    Until last week's race, I never paid much attention to AJ Allmendinger or Reed Sorensen. After listening to AJ on the scanner during the Twin 150's I came away with a whole new respect for him. He's calm, respectful and doesn't fly off the handle like alot of drivers do if their car isn't exactly perfect. Good luck to AJ and the entire RPM group in 2009.

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  20. 20
    Richard Clower said:
    Feb 19, 2009 at 8:47 PM

    Hey Jesse #10, the article is about AJ, leave Reed out of it. AJ will get a sponsor, he's too good not to.

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