Allmendinger given breathalyzer before practice
TALLADEGA, Ala. -- AJ Allmendinger, who was charged with driving under the influence on Thursday, was administered a breathalyzer prior to Friday's first Sprint Cup practice at Talladega Superspeedway.
"It's a part of it,'' Allmendinger said after the second practice. "I know what I've done. I respect the punishment and everything that I have to do to gain the trust back of NASCAR and everybody that is out there racing with me.
"It's not the best feeling in the world, but at the same point I respect I have to do it. I understand and I no problem with that.''
Allmendinger has been placed on probation by NASCAR through the end of the season and, according to sources close to the situation, will be monitored closely by the governing body during that time.
Allmendinger also has been placed on probation by Richard Petty Motorsports and fined $10,000 to be donated to charity.
The 27-year-old driver was charged by Mooresville police after being pulled over at 1:27 a.m. in North Carolina. He was released after registering .08 on the Intoxilyzer and has a court date for December 18.
"Honest truth, I had a couple of drinks at dinner and a couple that night,'' Allmendinger said. "I honestly thought I was fine. I had been drinking water for an hour and a half at that point and figured I was OK to drive home. I unfortunately got pulled over and it went from there.
"It was my fault. It was a bad decision. I wish I could take it back. I'd do anything to take it back. All I can do is go out there and learn from it and be a lot better person from it, which I will be. And hopefully educate other people you don't have to be having a ton of drinks to be filling like you're drunk. It only takes a little bit to be over the limit.''
Allmendinger drives the No. 44 for RPM, but is scheduled to move into the No. 43 made famous by co-owner Richard Petty in 2010 with Best Buy as his primary sponsor.
Petty has a long-standing tradition of not using alcohol sponsors on his cars, although an exception was made for Kasey Kahne and the No. 9 Budweiser Dodge because the deal was in place when Petty Enterprises merged with Gillett Evernham Motorsports.
Petty was not available for comment and team officials declined to speculate on how the DUI charge might impact that.
Allmendinger said he hopes the incident will not impact his future.
"It's not the first I've ever made. It's the biggest mistake I've made to this magnitude. A lot of people make mistakes and get a second opportunity.''