Allmendinger Charged with DUI, But Will Race This Weekend

AJ Allmendinger, whose name has surfaced at times as a possible USF1 driver, was arrested this week and charged with drunken driving by police in North Carolina.

ESPN has the details.

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The Richard Petty Motorsports driver, according to the police report, was driving a 2007 Lexus when he was pulled over at 1:27 a.m. He was released to others at the owner’s request. Police said he blew a .08 on a Breathalyzer test.

He has a court date for Dec. 18.

NASCAR announced Thursday afternoon Allmendinger has been placed on probation by the sport until Dec. 31.

“I made an error in judgment last night for which I take full responsibility,” Allmendinger said in a statement released by RPM. “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 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.”

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Allmendinger, who is 27, will race this weekend at some track called Talladega Superspeedway but NASCAR did put him on probation.

AJ’s name has not been the highest on the USF1 list lately, but I can’t see how this does anything, but move him further down the wish list. Although the way USF1 goes after any PR….