If you watched Turner/TNT Sports' coverage of the Coke Zero 400 Saturday night, you may have noticed someone other than A.J. Allmendinger behind the wheel of the #22 Pennzoil/Shell Dodge for Penske Racing. It turns out A.J. was indefinitely suspended by NASCAR for failing a random drug test after the NSCS race at Kentucky Speedway when the test came up positive. He was replaced Saturday night by a driver who wasn't supposed to be there in the first place.

He's Sam Hornish, Jr., who normally races in the Nationwide Series, and was actually in Charlotte at the studios of FOX Sports' 24/7 motorsports channel SPEED when he got pressed into service for the Coke Zero 400 on very short notice. No sooner does Sam Jr. talk about his 10th place finish in the Subway Jalapeno 250 Nationwide Series race on "SPEED Center", Hornish was on his way back to Daytona to sub for Allmendinger for Saturday night's second Daytona race of the season. Sam Jr. arrived back at the track just before HLN's Robin Meade performed the National Anthem for Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 by way of a police escort. It was quite a day for Sam Jr., who ended up finishing 33rd in the Coke Zero 400.

While Penske Racing awaits word how long Allmendinger will be suspended, Hornish will be once again behind the wheel of the #22 Dodge Sunday when NASCAR makes its first trip of the season to Loudon, NH and the Lenox Industrial Tools 301, the final race of TNT's "Summer Series" schedule.

Thank you for the update SHARK. What do you think about the situation though? I believe Dinger took some cold/allergy medicine or something silly like that. Still he had substance in his body that is on the hot list for Nascar. Helton will use AJ's suspension papers as napkins and he will be back for the race at Loudon.

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NASCAR.com has already reported that Sam Hornish, Jr. will be back behind the wheel of the #22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge Sunday at Loudon, NH. I wasn't even aware that A.J. Allmendinger had failed a drug test prior to Saturday night's Coke Zero 400. This came as an absolute shock and noticed a helicopter at the airport adjacent to Daytona right around the time HLN's Robin Meade performed the National Anthem in pre-race ceremonies.

It could be roids. Remember that they are not just for bulkingup but to heal and such.

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When I am stuck and need to figure something out I always remember the Immortal words of Socrates when he said:"I just drank what?"

He still hasn't had his B sample tested but word is that he tested positive for a stimulant due to a product similar to 5 hour energy. Ruining this guy's career because of a small trace of a stimulant found in an over the counter energy drink is absurd.

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There is a list of banned stimulants and substances set by Nascar. Dinger cannot say "I took something, but didn't know it was against the rules". Even though the stuff he was taking is perfectly legal, it can still be on the banned list. He could of easily made a phone call to the governing body and testers and tell them what he is taking and ask."Is this OK?". He did not do that and tested positive for a stimulant. If the B sample comes back positive, he can enter the Nascar recovery program to become eligible to drive on Nascar tracks once again.

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CSFMB: Home of the small minded

What are they going to do though? make him go to rehab for an energy drink? What he supposedly took and what would be harmful on the track are 2 different things. Its his fault he took it without thinking but they shouldn't have some of that crap on the list and they certainly shouldn't punish him the same as someone shooting heroin before every race.

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I agree it is dumb. That is not in question. AJ failed the test. Nascar will give him regular drug tests and send him to a counselor. It would be going through the motions to be considered safe to race. He could be suspended for a month or the rest of the season, the real jeopardy for him not having a ride to go back to when he is reinstated. I have no real timetable since most that get a hot test never come back. Open wheel or ARCA may be a real possibility for Dinger to get in a racecar this year.

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CSFMB: Home of the small minded

That will teach him to not rummage through CIJ's trash next time he is feeling sleepy...

The thought of losing the sponsor and ride sucks for him. No one really wanted him in a competitive ride and yet he just kept qualifying into races and finishing to break into the top 35 and thus earned himself a ride with a good sponsor.

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Uh oh.

Marty Smith ‏@MartySmithESPN
NASCAR announces AJ Allmendinger indefinitely suspended from competition after B-sample test comes back positive.

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Will they just go and say what the hell it was for already.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

DINGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(do not want)

.........sigh. is this jeremy mayfield all over again? it better not be cuz like..... sigh. i loved saying DINGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in my best down south accent whenever i saw him drive by on my telly screen

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Legit question from a guy who doesn't follow motorsports:

How would PEDs enhance your performance behind the wheel of a car? I'm just wondering what the advantage or edge would be.

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Kid Cairo: 2013 March Madness Tournament Winner!

"Cowabunga? Cowa fucking piece of dog shit! This game is diarrhea coming out of my dick!"

I can not honestly see how they would matter. The pit crews, which are made up of many ex athletes could get an edge physically but I can't see it helping the driver. The negative effects, roid rage becomes road rage and maybe heat stroke from the excessive stimulants? I think its irrelevant to include PED's in the test. Just test for drugs of abuse which could lead to impaired driving and that is it.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

It's probably not a traditional "PED". However, driving a stock car is an endurance activity, so they could take that angle. Driving in extreme heat for hours at a time - and it's probably the longest season of any sport.
More likely it is recreational (type) of thing - read: coke/meth/etc, or even some other type of stimulant - and it's quite obvious why it would be a bad idea to have somebody doing that and driving a stock car at speeds nearing 200+ mph.

This will effectively be the end of his career in NASCAR barring a miracle.

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This thread is useless without pictures of Mrs Allmendinger.

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The best thing that can come out of this is that a DESERVING Nationwide series driver gets a good cup ride next season.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Right.

Like Steven Wallace.

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ummm no......try the triumphant return of Kerry Earnhardt.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

This kills any complaint you have about Danica.

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Kerry was historically awful.

I could see Sadler getting another shot or Allgaier. I'm not up to date on my silly season info on Dillon and whether or not he is moving up.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Sadler should get another shot, IMO. Probably should have never been without one.

The Dillon boys ain't gonna ride for anybody else but pop-pop. ( ) The Dillon boys drive me crazy.

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On the road to recovery:


http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/story/ ... ry-program

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Allmendinger released by Penske; statement by Allmendinger: Penske Racing announced today that AJ Allmendinger has been released as driver of the #22 Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Cup Series. Allmendinger was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR last week for a positive drug test. "Penske Racing fully supports NASCAR's substance abuse policy and we are disappointed with AJ's positive drug test results," said Roger Penske. "AJ is a terrific driver, a good person and it is very unfortunate that we have to separate at this time. We have invested greatly in AJ and we were confident in his success with our team. The decision to dismiss him is consistent with how we would treat any other Penske Racing team member under similar circumstances. As AJ begins NASCAR's 'Road to Recovery' program, we wish him the best and look forward to seeing him compete again in NASCAR." Sam Hornish Jr., will drive the #22 Dodge at Pocono this weekend and for the foreseeable future. Penske Racing will evaluate its options for a driver of the #22 car for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.

Statement from Allmendinger: "Effective today, I have been released from Penske Racing as driver of the #22 Dodge Charger. I wish to thank Mr. Penske, Penske Racing, their sponsors, and especially all the of the #22 team for the opportunity they provided me and for their support in this difficult time. I also, again, would like to thank all the fans that really have been awesome through this. I apologize for the distraction, embarrassment, and difficulties that my current suspension from NASCAR has provided. As I stated last week, I have begun NASCAR's Road to Recovery program and look forward to using those resources and its completion to compete again in NASCAR in the near future."

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CSFMB: Home of the small minded

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I really haven't been following this don, was he smoking crack or what? Idiot.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

He failed a drug test at Kentucky Speedway and was replaced by Sam Hornish, Jr. starting with the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona. That will continue for the forseeable future.

As for A.J. Allmendinger...Two words...Jeremy Mayfield. He hasn't raced ever since.

They haven't or can't say for sure what it is.

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