AJ Allmendinger Returns to Open Wheel Racing This Weekend at Barber Motorsports Park Driving for Roger Penske's IndyCar Team

AJ Allmendinger (File Photo) by Carey Spencer Best Digital Shots Photography

The Dinger, AJ Allmendinger, returns to open wheel driving (after a 6 year break) this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park where he'll compete in the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama.  In 2004, Allmendinger received Champ Car Rookie-of-the-Year honors.  He last raced Champ Car in 2006.  After that, he raced in the NASCAR Series moving from Craftsman Trucks to Sprint Cup cars.  

In 2011, he raced for Richard Petty Motorsports in the Best Buy car, and at the end of the season he moved to Penske Racing driving the #22 Shell/Pennzoil car.  On July 7th prior to the 2012 Coke Zero 400, he was suspended from NASCAR and released by Penske for failing a random drug test. 

Allmendinger charged on and completed NASCAR's "Road to Recovery" program.  He was reinstated in September.  Penske stood by him and he'll race for Penske's IndyCar team at Barber and in this year's Indy 500.

You can follow Penske Racing at http://www.penskeracing.com/

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