NASCAR confirmed that suspended driver AJ Allmendinger's "B sample" test (collected at the same time as the "A" sample that brough the initial positive result) for prohibited substances would be conducted July 24 at Aegis Analytical Laboratories in Nashville, Tenn. The sanctioning body also elaborated on the sequence of events following Allmendinger's positive "A" sample test.
On Wednesday, July 4, according to NASCAR's statement, NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy program administrator, Dr. David Black, sent a positive "A" sample result to the program's medical review officer, Dr. Douglas Aukerman.
On July 5, Aegis sent the final paperwork to Dr. Aukerman, who attempted to contact Allmendinger by phone on Friday, July 6, the day drivers were qualifying for the Coke Zero 400. Aukerman and Allmendinger exchanged phone messages.
On July 7, Aukerman reached Allmendinger by phone and informed him of the positive test. The MRO notified NASCAR later that day, and NASCAR suspended Allmendinger from competition. On July 9, Allmendinger officially notified the MRO of his desire to have the "B" sample tested, within the 72-hour window allowed by NASCAR rules.
Once a NASCAR member requests a "B" sample test, he or she has 30 days within which to schedule the test.
Allmendinger, who drives the No. 22 Penske Racing Dodge in the Sprint Cup Series, was suspended from competition July 7 before the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona after his "A" sample tested positive for what his business manager Tara Ragan has termed "a stimulant."
Team owner Roger Penske has reserved judgment on Allmendinger's status until the "B" sample results are in. Penske told reporters Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway he hoped Allmendinger would be back in the No. 22 car in time for the Crown Royal 400 on July 29 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"If the results go his way, meaning that he can get back in the car, he'll be in the car at Indianapolis," Penske said at Loudon.
Allmendinger has elected to send his own toxicology expert to the "B" sample test, Ragan said.
Source: NASCAR Wire Service