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GRAND-AM: Shank Issues Statement On Allmendinger
Longtime GRAND-AM team owner stands by open-wheel turned NASCAR star, who has been temporarily suspended after failing drug test...
John Dagys  |  Posted July 10, 2012   Chicago, IL
Veteran GRAND-AM team owner Michael Shank has stood by AJ Allmendinger's side amid the Californian's temporary suspension from NASCAR for failing a random drug test. (Photo: Marshall Pruett)
Veteran GRAND-AM team owner Michael Shank, who fielded the car that AJ Allmendinger co-drove to overall victory in this year's Rolex 24 at Daytona, has publicly backed the 30-year-old star, who has been temporarily suspended by NASCAR for failing a random drug test.

Allmendinger tested positive for a yet-to-be-revealed banned substance and was replaced by Sam Hornish Jr. in last weekend's Coke Zero 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

The Californian open-wheel turned NASCAR star requested Tuesday that the 'B' sample of his specimen be tested and denied having knowingly taken a prohibited drug.

Shank, who calls Allmendinger a friend and a brother-like figure of his, are also business partners in the MSR Indy venture.

"I stand 100 percent behind him in this challenging time," Shank said in a statement released Tuesday evening. "He has stood behind me and been loyal to my team for seven years even when we let him down he never considered bailing on me and my team.

"I will certainly never leave him behind when tough times come for him. No matter what happens he will stay my friend and continue to drive for me whenever possible.

"AJ, Tara, Molly and Skippy are part of our family here at MSR for what I hope is many years to come. I think everyone is looking forward to seeing him getting back on track, fast."

Allmendinger teamed with Justin Wilson, Ozz Negri and John Pew to win the 50th Rolex 24 aboard Michael Shank Racing's Riley-Ford Daytona Prototype.

John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
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