AJ Allmendinger, who lost his ride with Penske Racing after failing a drug test will make a return to racing this weekend, driving the Phoenix Racing entry in the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Allmendinger was banned from racing by NASCAR officials and then lost his ride with Penske. NASCAR reinstated Allmendinger on September 18 after he completed the sanctioning body's "Road to Recovery" program, allowing him to return to the track.
Kurt Busch, who drove the Phoenix car since the beginning of the season contested his last race with the team last weekend at Talledega.
His place was supposed to be taken by Regan Smith but he got a call to substitute for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who will be sidelined for two races after suffering a concussion in Talladega on Sunday.
Left without a driver, the team gave AJ a call who accepted the offer.
Allmendinger was banned from racing by NASCAR officials and then lost his ride with Penske. NASCAR reinstated Allmendinger on September 18 after he completed the sanctioning body's "Road to Recovery" program, allowing him to return to the track.
Kurt Busch, who drove the Phoenix car since the beginning of the season contested his last race with the team last weekend at Talledega.
His place was supposed to be taken by Regan Smith but he got a call to substitute for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who will be sidelined for two races after suffering a concussion in Talladega on Sunday.
Left without a driver, the team gave AJ a call who accepted the offer.