Roger Penske: "We're standing behind AJ until we understand the results"
Roger Penske says no decision has been made on AJ Allmendinger's long-term future (Getty Images Photo)
LISTEN: ROGER PENSKE ON AJ ALLMENDINGER SITUATION
Team owner Roger Penske fully supports NASCAR's substance abuse testing policy and says his organization is standing behind driver AJ Allmendinger for now.
Penske appeared on SIRIUS/XM NASCAR Radio's "The Morning Drive" program on Tuesday and said although the circumstances are stressful around NASCAR's temporary suspension of Allmendinger for failing a random drug test in Kentucky, he and the team will deal with it as more information is available.
"We're standing behind (AJ) until we understand the results," said Penske. "I can't say today what that is going to be.
"I certainly endorse NASCAR's program on substance abuse completely.''
Penske confirmed that it is his understanding Allmendinger has requested a "B" sample be tested as per the sanctioning body's policy and will await those results before making any decisions about the driver's future.
In the short-term,
"We have a one-year contract with him,' said Penske. "We'll have to assess the situation. We'll look at the details and understand it and make our move accordingly. At this point, it would be way premature for me to speculate what we might do. I think we've got to focus on our team and NASCAR. We've got good momentum. We've got to finish out this season strong. This will obviously, the outcome of this will dictate what will be the future from the standpoint of ourselves and any member of our team that would be in this situation.''
While the Penske organization has released statements addressing the situation there was been no actual comment from Allmendinger since the news broke last Saturday in Daytona until the driver released a writen statement on Tuesday.
Penske understands the emotions Allmendinger is no doubt trying to work through.
"I think he's probably laying low here trying to understand what the final test will be and then he'll deal with the outcome," said Penske. "He's a very good guy. I hate to see this. I'm more concerned about the individual than I am the circumstance. Long term, one way or another, he's a fighter. He's a good race driver and I'm sure he'll be fine. This is a speed bump that neither one of us contemplated and we have to deal with it professionally."
MORE: AJ Allmendinger responds to substance abuse test failure
