AJ Allmendinger will be testing an IndyCar for Team Penske at Sebring International Raceway on February 19th. If the test goes well, he will make his open-wheel return with Penske at Barber Motorsports Park on April 7, the second race of the 2013 IndyCar season.
It is believed that if they can secure sponsorship, the team will also run him in a third car at Long Beach, and the Indianapolis 500.
It’s been seven years since he has been behind the wheel of an IndyCar, but he knows he will have the best equipment and resources at his disposal. Being able to work with guys like Will Power and Helio Castroneves as well as the data from one of the strongest teams in the sport should help him get acquainted with the DW12.
Allmendinger said he is eager to repay The Captain for his help during his time away from racing. “When you first walk into Penske Racing and see the Borg Warner trophies and the helmets of all the Indy 500 races he’s won, that is what it’s all about,” Allmendinger said. “It would be a dream come true to run the Indy 500 with Roger Penske, but it all starts with Sebring, and that’s my focus.
AJ spent three years in the Champ Car series, spanning 40 races. In that time, he recorded five wins, two poles, and 14 podium finishes.
AJ won three races (Portland, Cleveland, Toronto) in a row in 2006, before winning later at Denver and Road America. That earned him third place in the final Championship standings, behind Sebastien Bourdais and Justin Wilson. That was his last time in an open-wheel car. That will change in ten days.
Born and raised 30 miles west of the greatest race track in the world.
Chad Smith
Hello ,
Say AJ gets the drive for Long beach, Barber and the Indy 500 , The two first dates clash with NASCAR events at Martinsville and Kansas, So say Allmendinger does continue his relationship with Phoenix racing in NASCAR, Is there even a question that he wouldn’t get released by Phoenix to do the two Indycar events instead for Penske instead ? , Because presumably its not possible to do both for time clashes.
Also if he does get the sponsorship and I know alot of ‘if’ in this , Does that then allow him to do the Indy 500 / Coke 600 double ?