Holy Cow
Allmendinger arrested for drunk driving
(AP) - 35 minutes ago
MOORESVILLE, N.C. - NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger has been arrested for drunk driving.
Police in Mooresville, N.C., say Allmendinger was pulled over early Thursday and failed a field sobriety test.
A spokesman for Richard Petty Motorsports says the team was not ready to comment on the arrest. Allmendinger drives the No. 44 for the team.
He's a major factor in RPM's long-range plans, and team officials told The Associated Press that Allmendinger was going to be moved into Petty's famed No. 43 next season. Best Buy is expected to sponsor the car.
It's not clear how his arrest may affect that relationship. Petty routinely shunned alcohol sponsorship, and refused to allow his teams to participate in NASCAR's second-tier series when it was sponsored by Busch.
Disappointed in AJ. Not cool to drive while drunk.
He released a statement
Richard Petty Motorsports driver AJ Allmendinger was arrested early Thursday morning on a charge of driving while impaired, according to a Mooresville (N.C.) Police Department arrest report.
Almendinger was driving a 2007 Lexus when he was stopped, according to the report. He was stopped at 1:27 a.m. Thursday morning. He was charged with one misdemeanor count of driving while impaired.
Allmendinger has a Dec. 18 court date.
"I made an error in judgment last night for which I take full responsibility," Allmendinger said in a statement. "I went out to dinner and I had a couple of drinks. I honestly felt fine but I obviously should have erred more on the side of caution, particularly given what I do for a living.
"It was a bad judgment call and I apologize for that to my fans, sponsors, team and NASCAR. If anything good can come of this then hopefully I can be an example of being more aware of drinking responsibly and if even if you feel fine, take a cab, call a friend ˆ just don't risk it. I will do my best to make it right and use this to learn myself and hopefully educate others."
There was no immediate comment from NASCAR. NASCAR has not suspended drivers previously for similar incidents.
The 27-year-old Allmendinger is 25th in the Sprint Cup Series standings.