Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - A.J. Allmendinger's business manager, Tara
Ragan, confirmed to multiple media outlets on Wednesday that the suspended
NASCAR driver tested positive for amphetamines.
Ragan's disclosure of the unspecified substance comes one day after
Allmendinger was indefinitely suspended from NASCAR competition when his "B"
sample urine test came up positive and therefore violated NASCAR's substance
abuse policy.
Allmendinger, 30, had been placed on temporary suspension since July 7, the
date of the 400-mile Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway,
for failing his initial test which he took the prior weekend when the series
competed at Kentucky Speedway.
On Tuesday, Allmendinger had his "B" sample tested at the Aegis Analytical
Laboratories in Nashville, Tenn. Aegis is the administrator of NASCAR's drug
testing program. A designated independent toxicologist was present on
Allmendinger's behalf. After his second sample turned up positive, NASCAR
provided Allmendinger a letter outlining a process for reinstatement by
participating in the sport's "Road to Recovery Program."
NASCAR has a policy of not revealing the actual substance.
"There are things that we know that it's not, but the way that these reports
are broken down, I know there's been a lot of questions about that, and it's
not being evasive," Ragan said during an interview with Speed television on
Wednesday night. "I know people have said it's kind of secretive. It's just a
process we're all trying to learn and be respectful of that process but also
try to read the report. But there are things we know that it's not. We haven't
been informed yet of what it is."
Ragan noted during the interview that tests ruled out cocaine, ecstasy and
methamphetamine.
Earlier Wednesday, Ragan released a statement that Allmendinger will
participate in the recovery program, starting immediately.
"We fully support the program, and as more details become available, we will
share them," she stated.
Allmendinger publicly commented on his indefinite suspension with a post on
his Twitter account late Tuesday night.
"I just wanted to say thank you first and foremost for all (of) you sticking
by me," he tweeted. "I'm sorry we even have to have this going on. But I
promise I will do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this and get back
our there...Thanks guys."
It's not known how long Allmendinger's program will last. It could take up to
six months.
"We're very pleased that A.J. Allmendinger has chosen to participate in the
NASCAR Road to Recovery Program," NASCAR spokesperson David Higdon said in a
statement. "It's designed, as proven, to provide a roadmap leading to a return
to competition, and we wish him the best of luck. As we have with other
competitors, we look forward to the day when the program administrator
recommends him for reinstatement."
Penske Racing has revealed that Sam Hornish Jr. will drive the No. 22 Dodge in
place of Allmendinger in this weekend's race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
and next week's event at Pocono Raceway. Hornish, who is a full-time driver
for Penske in the Nationwide Series, has substituted for Allmendinger in the
No. 22 car since Daytona.
The Sports Network