A.J Allmendinger will be testing an IndyCar for Penske Racing at Sebring International Raceway on Feb. 18 and 19. If the test is successful he will then make his open wheel debut at Barber Motorsports Park on April 7, 2013. If all goes well at the test it could lead to running at Long Beach in preparation for the Indy 500.
“I’m so happy and feel so blessed to have a chance to test for Penske Racing at Sebring in an Indycar,” Allmendinger wrote on his Twitter feed.
“The whole organisation, and Roger especially, is such a class act.
“I can’t thank them enough for the chance and for keeping me a part of the family throughout it all.”
Allmendinger’s career came to a halt in 2012 when he was driving the No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Dodge for Roger Penske. Allmendinger tested positive on a NASCAR mandated drug test at Kentucky Speedway on June 29, he was then suspended from competition on July 7 before the start of the race at Daytona International Speedway. He was released from Penske Racing on Aug 1.
Allmendinger completed NASCAR’s rehabilitation program, and was reinstated by NASCAR on September 18. He shared seat time in the No.51 Chevrolet with Regan Smith at the end of the 2012 season, and will be in the car for four races in 2013.
Allmendinger competed in the 2013 24 Hours at Daytona in the No.60 car for Michael Shank Racing, finishing third before their podium finish was taken away due to unapproved adjustments to the engine.
Many times through out the whole ordeal, Penske said he would not give up on Allmendinger – and he has proven true to that statement time and again.
