[WVGrandma4Kasey]

By DAVID POOLE

The Charlotte Observer


A.J. Allmendinger, the only American driving on the Champ Car World Series circuit this year, will drive in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Bill Davis Racing at New Hampshire on Sept. 16 and Talladega on Oct. 7.
Allmendinger, who will drive Toyotas prepared by BDR in the two races, began looking at his options earlier this season when he was fired by his RuSport team in Champ Car. He was quickly hired to take over in the Forsythe Championship racing team, and then won in his first race with that team at Portland, Ore.
Allmendinger, a California native, then won at Cleveland and Toronto to make it three-for-three with his new team. He has since added a victory at Denver and is tied for second with Justin Wilson in the series standings, 62 points behind Sebastien Bourdais.
“When I had the opportunity a few months ago to explore my career options, I really wanted to try my hand at something in the stock car arena,” said Allmendinger, 24. “We began making phone calls and this opportunity with Bill Davis Racing really came about from that.”
Allmendinger tested a BDR-owned Truck last week at Richmond to prepare for his first venture into a NASCAR series. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said Tuesday that Allmendinger submitted a resume requesting permission to be allowed to run at Talladega, and that based on his driving experience and qualifications, Allendinger has been cleared to compete at all tracks in the Truck series.