NASCAR puts AJ Allmendinger on probation but allows him to race
Richard Petty Motorsports' AJ Allmendinger won't be suspended by NASCAR after being arrested early Thursday morning on a charge of driving while impaired. // David Griffin, NASCAR Scene
Related stories: Richard Petty Motorsports' AJ Allmendinger charged with driving while impaired
AJ Allmendinger fined, placed on probation by Richard Petty Motorsports
Richard Petty Motorsports driver AJ Allmendinger, who was arrested early Thursday morning on a charge of driving while impaired by the Mooresville (N.C.) Police Department, was put on probation through the end of the year by NASCAR but will be allowed to race this weekend, the sanctioning body announced Thursday night.
Allmendinger was penalized for violating the NASCAR rule on actions detrimental to stock-car racing.
Although he could be suspended by his race team, none of the Richard Petty Motorsports statements released Thursday indicated that Allmendinger will not race this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.
Almendinger was driving a 2007 Lexus when he was stopped at 1:27 a.m. Thursday, according to the police report, and a breath test showed he had a blood alcohol content level of .08 percent, which is the minimum to be arrested for DWI in North Carolina. He was charged with one misdemeanor count of driving while impaired.
According to the North Carolina drivers manual, anyone who has a BAC of .08 or more receives an automatic 30-day license suspension. According to the NASCAR rulebook, a valid drivers license is not a prerequisite to compete in a NASCAR race.
The last active Cup driver to have a DWI conviction was Scott Wimmer in 2004, and NASCAR did not penalize him until after the legal process was completed. NASCAR put Wimmer on probation and required him to do appearances on safe driving.
Allmendinger has a Dec. 18 court date.
“I made an error in judgment last night for which I take full responsibility,” Allmendinger said in a statement. “I went out to dinner and I had a couple of drinks. I honestly felt fine but I obviously should have erred more on the side of caution, particularly given what I do for a living.
“It was a bad judgment call and I apologize for that to my fans, sponsors, team and NASCAR. If anything good can come of this then hopefully I can be an example of being more aware of drinking responsibly and if even if you feel fine, take a cab, call a friend - just don’t risk it. I will do my best to make it right and use this to learn myself and hopefully educate others.”
Team co-owner Richard Petty issued a statement expressing his disappointment, but which did not address Allmendinger’s status for this weekend’s race at Talladega Superspeedway.
“I am deeply disappointed this has happened,” it read. “AJ has accepted full responsibility for his actions and will work to make this right. On behalf of everyone at Richard Petty Motorsports, we sincerely apologize to our fans and partners.”
The 27-year-old Allmendinger is 25th in the Sprint Cup Series standings.
