A.J. Allmendinger…
Remember him? There was much thrown about for a NASCAR suspension in July of 2012. A drug test showed signs of amphetamines which Allmendinger maintained came from Adderall which he took, he said, from a “friend of a friend”.
Adderall, by the way, is a drug used for ADHD and/or narcolepsy and is somewhat of a derivitive of amphetamines but is also a prescription controlled substance.
Yes… We all know he was suspended. We all know Roger Penske pulled him from the #22 which gave way for Joey Logano to be in it for 2013. We all know it was stupid to take a prescription medication from a “friend of a friend”…
However, A.J. Allmendinger did follow all the rules after the incident, went through the “Road to Recovery” program and was reinstated by NASCAR in September of 2012. By that time, Sam Hornish, Jr. had the wheel of the #22 and Allmendinger was on the search for a seat.
He made some sports car news driving in the Grand-Am Rolex 24 and has had a good turn for this weekend.
Penske has given Allmendinger a seat with the Izod IndyCar series and has made two starts of the four races this season. However, for this weekend and the Indianapolis 500, Allmendinger has placed the Penske #2 Verizon-Quicken Loans car fifth on the starting grid.
Setbacks are always difficult to bounce from. A.J. has been pacing slowly and keeping somewhat of a low profile. Standing back in the shadows may be in the past as the Indy 500 marks a big return and a good finish here may be the bounce he needs to step back into the light.
He starts 5th out of 33 cars. That is an astounding result with many familiar IndyCar names starting behind him. Scott Dixon, Ryan Briscoe and Dario Franchitti are mid-pack or further. Will Power, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Helio Castroneves are starting next to, or right behind, Allmendinger.
The Indy 500 is mid-day Sunday. May 26th. A.J. Allmendinger starts in the third row in the fifth spot.
Mistakes are human. Comebacks are difficult.
Allmendinger has the foundation of Penske Racing under him as he faces the race forward. The least racing fans can do is give him some support, even if it is from a “we’ve all made mistakes” viewpoint.
For NASCAR fans watching the “Indy”, A.J. is a good latch. Give him a “GO” on race day!