[OregonSHRFan]

Allmendinger charged with DWI: For the second time in a week a NASCAR driver is in trouble with the law. A.J. Allmendinger, driver of the #44 car, was arrested for drunk driving, Mooresville police say. Allmendinger was pulled over around 1:30 a.m. Thursday along Highway 150. According to police, Allmendinger blew a .08, which is the legal limit in North Carolina. Last week Mooresville police say alcohol was a factor in an accident involving NASCAR driver and team owner Michael Waltrip. Officers investigating the accident suspected Waltrip was drinking, but when he was given a field sobriety test, he registered a .06. In North Carolina the legal limit is .08.(News Observer)(10-29-2009)

[loco4pablo]

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!! What is the guy thinking?? Didn't they just announce yesterday that Best Buy would be sponsoring the #43 for the full season in 2010! Well, hope you had a good time AJ, good luck in your future endeavors... Ask Scott Wimmer how it worked out for him.

If you make a living at driving race cars... Actually driving anything Buses, trucks, taxi's or airplanes...A DWI is your kiss of death.

[loco4pablo]

Best Buy moving to the #43? Team officials familiar with RPM's personnel moves tell The Associated Press that sponsor Best Buy will move from Sadler's car next season to Petty's famed No. 43 with AJ Allmendinger as the driver. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the changes have yet to be announced. Stanley Tools will become the sole primary sponsor for Sadler. Both Best Buy and Stanley had shared Sadler's car this season.(Associated Press)(10-28-2009)

[Robertdjr]

Dinger says:

"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."

RPM's AJ Allmendinger arrested for drunk driving - ESPN

[LSC9901]

If he jumps right out there and takes responsibility for his actions and doesn't fight the charges and penalties he will fare far better than trying to deny it. Whatever they force on him for criminal punishment should be done with joy instead of losing his career.

[loco4pablo]

I agree that's how he needs to handle it.
The problem is, Organizations such as MADD feed on this especially with people of notoriety. Being associated with Richard Petty doesn't help either.
When this happens to say a football or baseball player, they easily move ahead. I mean look at John Daly, even with no sponsor or endorsements he can still make a living playing golf... but it's hard for race car drivers because "no sponsor/ro racie"
Now if AJ is CONVICTED and you were Best Buy why bother sinking your money into AJ? It's not like he is a top teir driver and there are so many suitable replacements...UMM Reed Sorenson already has a locker there at RPM.

AJ better get ready to stroke a huge check to some people in order to get a not guilty verdict on Dec. 18th

[loco4pablo]

It's already picking up steam, this is the latest across the AP wire

Allmendinger arrested for drunk driving | Comcast.net

I hope AJ likes trucks...what a clown!

[bob101]

It probably had a better chance of just "going away" if he hadn't just been announced to drive the "legendary #43" again next year....which we all know is a car/team that has said they didn't want anything to do with alochol sponsorship.

Coming out and saying "I felt fine, but I guess not" was probably not the smartest PR move either.

[Stewart Fan]

We haven't got to Dega yet and we already have the bonehead of the week.

[OregonSHRFan]

UPDATE 2: A statement from Richard Petty: "I am deeply disappointed this has happened. AJ has accepted full responsibility for his actions and will work to make this right. On behalf of everyone at Richard Petty Motorsports we sincerely apologize to our fans and partners."(RPM PR)(10-29-2009)
UPDATE 3: AJ Allmendinger, driver for the #44 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has been placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2009. Allmendinger has violated Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book. (NASCAR PR)(10-29-2009)

[loco4pablo]

Originally Posted by OregonSHRFan

UPDATE 2: A statement from Richard Petty: "I am deeply disappointed this has happened. AJ has accepted full responsibility for his actions and will work to make this right. On behalf of everyone at Richard Petty Motorsports we sincerely apologize to our fans and partners."(RPM PR)(10-29-2009)
UPDATE 3: AJ Allmendinger, driver for the #44 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has been placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2009. Allmendinger has violated Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book. (NASCAR PR)(10-29-2009)

Man that stinks but as soon as I heard this this morning... I knew it was going to happen. It stinks because he was one of my guys.
His court date is the 18th of Dec. If his license is suspended so is his NASCAR license.
NASCAR, Richard Petty, RPM and especially Best Buy will not put up with this from someone of AJ's stature and with the availability of other just as qualified drivers.

Reed Sorenson might have found himself a ride!

[jks812]

Originally Posted by OregonSHRFan

UPDATE 3: AJ Allmendinger, driver for the #44 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has been placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2009. Allmendinger has violated Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book. (NASCAR PR)(10-29-2009)

This will be a shock to some, but I don't agree with this. It had nothing to do with Nascar and they shouldn't put him on probation for it. There have been other drivers get in trouble and Nascar didn't put them on probation.

[saltysenior]

Originally Posted by jks812

This will be a shock to some, but I don't agree with this. It had nothing to do with Nascar and they shouldn't put him on probation for it. There have been other drivers get in trouble and Nascar didn't put them on probation.

what else can they do???? by the way ,i know all the drivers look at this forum,so if any, or a group,need a full time designated driver and make me a decent offer, i will re-locate......the deal will end up a lot cheaper for you by a longshot...

[NASCAR Gnome]

And... another one bites the dust!

I hope his wife's chiropractic business booms because he's pretty much done driving at the highest level of stock cars given the competition ready to step in and fill his seat!

Stupid... so stupid to throw it all away like this!

[Stewart Fan]

So you guys think he will be fired?