NASCAR reinstates driver A.J. Allmendinger

NASCAR on Tuesday reinstated driver A.J. Allmendinger, who was suspended July 24 for failing a drug test.

Allmendinger, 30, also lost his ride in Penske Racing’s No. 22 Dodge in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series.

A Los Gatos, Calif., native, Allmendinger was reinstated because he completed NASCAR’s substance-abuse “road to recovery” rehabilitation program.

It’s an open question whether Allmendinger, who drove in open-wheel racing before moving to stock cars, can find another driving job.

But at the IndyCar race Sunday at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Allmendinger was at the track at the urging of Penske Racing owner Roger Penske, who also has an IndyCar team.

“I thought it would be good for him to get out, see people here, talk to some of the team owners,” Penske said. “He’s certainly an option for people on the NASCAR side and also on the Indy side.”

Asked if he would consider rehiring Allmendinger, Penske replied: “He could be an option for us, for sure.”

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