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IndyCar
INDYCAR: Penske Gives Allmendinger IndyCar Test
AJ Allmendinger to test IndyCar for Penske Racing at Sebring International Raceway on Feb. 19...
AJ Allmendinger will test a Penske IndyCar at Sebring later this month. (Photo: LAT)
Roger Penske never gave up on A.J. Allmendinger and now he’s giving him a shot where his roots are – open wheel.
Penske confirmed Thursday morning that Allmendinger is testing an Indy car for him on Feb. 19 at Sebring, Fla. with the intent of becoming a part-time driver in the third Team Penske car on the IZOD IndyCar circuit.
The 31-year-old Californian, named after A.J. Foyt who was kicking butt in Champ Car seven years ago before heading south, is getting another opportunity with the most successful owner in Indy-car history.
“I felt bad about his situation, people make mistakes and we wanted to try and get him back on his feet after the mess he was in,” said Penske, referring to Allmendinger’s suspension by NASCAR last summer after failing a drug test.
“So we’ll get him back in a car at Sebring and try and get some sponsorships for a few races and maybe Indy would be his re-launch.”
Allmendinger, who was reinstated by NASCAR in August but released from his Sprint Cup ride by Penske, hasn’t been in an open wheel car since 2006 when he won five races for Gerry Forsythe.
“I know it’s been a long time since he’s driven an Indy car but we watched him run (Mike) Shank’s car at Daytona and chase (Juan) Montoya around and that was impressive,” continued Penske.
“We think he might be an interesting guy in an Indy car.”
The Captain, whose 15 Indy 500 victories are the most in IMS history, hasn’t won the big race since 2009 with Helio Castroneves despite the fact Will Power has been the fastest and winningest driver in IndyCar the past three years.
Three-time Indy king Helio Castroneves and Power comprise the lineup for 2013 as Ryan Briscoe was cut loose after four seasons. Allmendinger ran the final six races of 2012 for James Finch but doesn’t have anything steady in stock cars for 2013.
“A.J. doesn’t have a full-time ride yet and if finds something on the NASCAR side that’s OK too but he’s got a lot of support behind him,” said Penske, who captured his initial NASCAR championship last year with Brad Keselowski.
“We’ll see how the test goes and get him re-acclimated to an Indy car. If he we get him to Indianapolis and a few races, we think he’s got talent.”
Penske confirmed Thursday morning that Allmendinger is testing an Indy car for him on Feb. 19 at Sebring, Fla. with the intent of becoming a part-time driver in the third Team Penske car on the IZOD IndyCar circuit.
The 31-year-old Californian, named after A.J. Foyt who was kicking butt in Champ Car seven years ago before heading south, is getting another opportunity with the most successful owner in Indy-car history.
“I felt bad about his situation, people make mistakes and we wanted to try and get him back on his feet after the mess he was in,” said Penske, referring to Allmendinger’s suspension by NASCAR last summer after failing a drug test.
“So we’ll get him back in a car at Sebring and try and get some sponsorships for a few races and maybe Indy would be his re-launch.”
Allmendinger, who was reinstated by NASCAR in August but released from his Sprint Cup ride by Penske, hasn’t been in an open wheel car since 2006 when he won five races for Gerry Forsythe.
“I know it’s been a long time since he’s driven an Indy car but we watched him run (Mike) Shank’s car at Daytona and chase (Juan) Montoya around and that was impressive,” continued Penske.
“We think he might be an interesting guy in an Indy car.”
The Captain, whose 15 Indy 500 victories are the most in IMS history, hasn’t won the big race since 2009 with Helio Castroneves despite the fact Will Power has been the fastest and winningest driver in IndyCar the past three years.
Three-time Indy king Helio Castroneves and Power comprise the lineup for 2013 as Ryan Briscoe was cut loose after four seasons. Allmendinger ran the final six races of 2012 for James Finch but doesn’t have anything steady in stock cars for 2013.
“A.J. doesn’t have a full-time ride yet and if finds something on the NASCAR side that’s OK too but he’s got a lot of support behind him,” said Penske, who captured his initial NASCAR championship last year with Brad Keselowski.
“We’ll see how the test goes and get him re-acclimated to an Indy car. If he we get him to Indianapolis and a few races, we think he’s got talent.”
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