As we told you on Monday, NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver AJ Allmendinger was temporarily suspended from competition after he failed a mandatory drug test before Saturday's Coke Zero 400 in Daytona.
Now, Allmendinger has spoken for the first time and revealed that the drug he tested positive for was classified as a stimulant, according to the AP.
NASCAR's list of banned stimulants includes amphetamine, methamphetamine, Ecstasy (MDMA), Eve (MDEA), MDA, PMA, Phentermine, "and other amphetamine derivatives and related compounds."
Allmendinger was reportedly shocked that he failed the test, and he said he would "never do anything to jeopardize [his] opportunity here at Penske Racing or to [his] fellow drivers." He makes a good point. Penske is the best team he has ever driven for and he's on a one year contract. He'd have to be pretty insane to do anything to risk losing his job.
Earlier this year, Allmendinger, a former driver for Red Bull Racing, signed a deal with "Fuel in a Bottle" to be a brand ambassador. The energy shot is akin to 5-Hour Energy in size and contains a number of ingredients. Mild stimulants like L-Phenylalanine and caffeine are part of the mix of the shot, which is made by a subsidiary of Coca-Cola.
So is it possible that the energy shot is the reason Allmendinger tested positive for a stimulant? It looks like he thinks so. Allmendinger has now elected to have his own toxicologist and lawyer present for the test of his second sample and was reportedly just above NASCAR's threshold for stimulants, according to ESPN.
We should have the results after the second test occurs next week. Sam Hornish Jr. will once again be in Allmendinger's car for the race in New Hampshire this weekend.
Photo Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack