NASCAR: Sprint Cup driver, AJ Allmendinger arrested for drunken driving put on NASCAR probation

According to local news agencies and police reports Richard Petty Motorsports driver, AJ Allmendinger, was arrested early Thursday morning after being pulled over on a North Carolina road and failing a field sobriety test, followed by a breathalyzer.

Thursday afternoon NASCAR officials put Allmendinger on probation until December 31, 2009 stating he “violated Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book.”

Allmendinger is the second Sprint Cup driver involved with drinking and driving in a week. Last week, Michael Waltrip, owner and driver at Michael Waltrip Racing, was involved in a motor vehicle accident and blew .06 in a field breathalyzer. No charges were levied against Waltrip.

No details of why Allmendinger was pulled over but the police report stated he blew a .08 in the breathalyzer test which percentage is a violation of North Carolina law. Allmendinger was released and is due in court in December to answer the charges.

"I made an error in judgment last night for which I take full responsibility," Allmendinger said in a statement released by RPM. "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 ... just don't risk it. I will do my best to make it right and use this to learn myself and hopefully educate others." RPM officials said Allmendinger will be in the car this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.

Earlier on Wednesday it was announced that he would continue to drive for RPM next year in the #43 Best Buy sponsored car. RPM officials said that he would be in his usual car for this week’s race at Talladega.