A.J. Allmendinger suspended for failing random drug test

AUDIO: NASCAR ANNOUNCES ALLMENDINGER SUSPENSION

NASCAR temporarily suspended Allmendinger for failing a random drug test. (Getty Images)

NASCAR announced that A.J. Allmendinger has been temporarily suspended for failing a random drug test.

The Penske Racing driver was pulled from the starting grid of Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway and the team had hoped to bring Nationwide Series driver Sam Hornish Jr. in to fill the seat.

NASCAR vice president of operations Steve O'Donnell made the announcement Saturday afternoon but took no questions from the media.

Under the guidelines of NASCAR's susbtance abuse policy, Allmendinger can request a "B" sample be taken 72 hours after the original test.

Penske Racing released the following statement:

"NASCAR notified Penske Racing this afternoon that A.J. Allmendinger was administered a drug test earlier this week, and those results tested positive. NASCAR has a strict drug testing program that Penske Racing fully supports. Penske Racing will work with NASCAR through this process and its next steps. Sam Hornish Jr., will drive the No. 22 car in tonight's Coke Zero 400."