DWI doesn't sideline Allmendinger
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009
Getty Images for NASCAR
DOVER, DE - SEPTEMBER 26: A J Allmendinger, driver of the #44 Super 8 Dodge adjusts his seatbelt during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on September 26, 2009 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Getty Images for NASCAR
HAMPTON, GA - SEPTEMBER 05: A J Allmendinger driver of the #44 Hunt Brothers Pizza Dodge, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on September 5, 2009 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Getty Images for NASCAR
BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 14: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #44 Super 8 Dodge stands in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Michigan 400 at Michigan Internetional Speedway on August 14, 2009 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Getty Images for NASCAR
WATKINS GLEN, NY - AUGUST 08: Kasey Kahne (L), driver of the #9 Budweiser Dodge, talks with teammate AJ Allmendinger (R), driver of the #44 Stanley Tools Dodge, in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at Watkins Glen International on August 8, 2009 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)
TALLADEGA, Ala. – Despite an arrest Thursday for driving while impaired, Sprint Cup Series driver AJ Allemendinger will compete in Sunday’s Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
In an e-mail distributed internally at Richard Petty Motorsports – a copy of which was obtained by The Observer and ThatsRacin.com – the organization said Allmendinger’s status with the team had not changed.
"AJ will be driving this weekend in Talladega and will honor all partner/media commitments," the e-mail said in part.
NASCAR on Thursday penalized – but did not suspend – Allmendinger, placing him on probation until Dec. 31.
Allmendinger, who drives the No. 44 Dodge for RPM, faces a Dec. 18 court date for one misdemeanor count of driving while impaired. Police stopped the 2007 Lexus he was driving about 1:30 a.m. Thursday and a field sobriety test showed Allmendinger's blood-alcohol content level at 0.08 percent.
"I made an error in judgment last night, for which I take full responsibility," the driver said in a statement. "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."
Allmendinger called the decision to drive "a bad judgement call."
"I will do my best to make it right and use this to learn myself and hopefully educate others," he said.
The Charlotte Observer is pleased to be able to offer its users the opportunity to make comments and hold conversations online. However, the interactive nature of the internet makes it impracticable for our staff to monitor each and every posting.
Since charlotteobserver.com does not control user submitted statements, we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted on our website. In addition, we remind anyone interested in making an online comment that responsibility for statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not The Charlotte Observer.
If you find a comment offensive, clicking on the exclamation icon will flag the comment for review by the administrators, we are counting on the good judgment of all our readers to help us.
@Nyx.CommentBody@