Sam Hornish to drive #22 at New Hampshire

Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the #22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge, stands on the grid after NASCAR announced that AJ Allmendinger failed a random drug test and was pulled from the #22 Shell Dodge prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2012 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Sam Hornish Jr. will be Allmendinger replacement for the Coke Zero 400. (July 6, 2012 - Source: Chris Graythen/Getty Images North America)
Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the #22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge, stands on the grid after NASCAR announced that AJ Allmendinger failed a random drug test and was pulled from the #22 Shell Dodge prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2012 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Sam Hornish Jr. will be Allmendinger replacement for the Coke Zero 400. (July 6, 2012 - Source: Chris Graythen/Getty Images North America)

When the #22 Dodge of Penske Racing takes to the track this weekend it will be driven by Sam Hornish Jr. Hornish will again drive the Shell/Pennzoil car as AJ Allmendinger is currently suspended by NASCAR for testing positive for a banned substance.

Sunday, a day after he finished 33rd at Daytona, Hornish said he hoped to be the replacement for Allmendinger if the suspension continues. Prior to Saturday’s Indy car race in Toronto team owner Roger Penske called the failed test a “disappointment” and said that the B sample would be tested.

The failed test for Allmendinger occurred as part of NASCARs random weekly drug tests. Five drivers, ten crew members and five officials are tested at random each week.

Today Penske Racing released the following statement.

Penske Racing is continuing to work with NASCAR to follow its process and procedures related to the positive drug test that AJ Allmendinger was notified of this past weekend. While this process continues, Sam Hornish Jr. will drive the #22 car in this week’s Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

It will be the 112th career start in the Sprint Cup series for Hornish and third this season. In his career the 3 time IndyCar champion has made 6 starts at New Hampshire and recorded 2 finishes inside the top-10.

Hornish is still expected to drive the #12 Dodge in the Nationwide Series this weekend at New Hampshire.

John Boarman
John Boarmanhttp://www.tireball.com
Founder and Owner of Tireball Sports.

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