Penske Racing driver AJ Allmendinger has been indefinitely suspended by NASCAR after it was confirmed he failed a drugs test.
NASCAR takes action after positive drugs test is confirmed
Penske Racing driver AJ Allmendinger has been indefinitely suspended by NASCAR after it was confirmed he failed a drugs test.
Allmendinger, who was provisionally suspended on July 7, was given the indefinite ban after his B sample backed up the original result.
Officials did not announce which substance was found in Allmendinger's system, although the 30-year-old American has previously said he tested positive for a stimulant.
"While not a pleasant experience by any stretch of the imagination, we feel like we have one of the best drug testing programs in sports," NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said.
Allmendinger has denied knowingly taking a banned substance.
He said on Twitter: "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 out there no matter what."
Testing
Tara Ragan, Allmendinger's business manager, added: "This was not the news we wanted to hear and we will work to get to the source of what may have caused this.
"To that end, we have secured the services of an independent lab to conduct thorough testing on every product within AJ's home and motor coach to find what might collaborate with his test, which created results that were within nanograms of accepted standards.
"We are working closely with NASCAR and Penske Racing to identify the next action steps in this process."
Sam Hornish Jr. will continue to fill in for Allmendinger at Indianapolis this weekend and the race after that at Pocono.
"Penske Racing is very disappointed with the result of the B sample test and will evaluate its course of action as it pertains to AJ over the coming week," the team said.
