A Second Chance for AJ Allmendinger
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Credit: Debbie Ross. For Skirts and Scuffs |
Last season, Allmendinger lost
his Cup ride with Penske, due to failing a drug test. Against his better
judgment, he took a pill from someone he trusted. The pill turned out to
contain amphetamines. Allmendinger was pulled from the Daytona race and was quickly
replaced by Sam Hornish Jr. soon after he was let go by Penske. The promising
season he was looking forward to was gone within seconds.
Even though people said
Allmendinger’s career was over, he didn’t let that stop him. After completing
the Road to Recovery program, he returned to NASCAR and raced for Phoenix
Racing. The outlook for his career was unknown. Where would he end up? Would he
get a ride?
Luck was on his side, for Penske
still wanted to give him a shot but not in NASCAR, in IndyCar. In addition to
IndyCar, he’d also be racing part-time for Phoenix Racing in the 2013 season.
In IndyCar, Allmendinger had the
chance to run one of the biggest races: the Indianapolis 500. Allmendinger
would race in his first 500. Drivers dream of racing this race for it’s truly
an honor to be a part of this history. For someone like Allmendinger who wanted to get his career back on track, getting this opportunity was just the ticket
he needed.
At the start of the race,
Allmendinger was having issues; he wasn’t going forward. But with “The Captain”
in his ear coaching him, the panic and worry seemed to fade from Allmendinger. He
would go on to lead for 14 laps and had a shot to win the 500.
However, he had to settle
for seventh, which in my book was a win for Allmendinger. In the end he showed
he still has passion and talent for racing in any form.
After that, Allmendinger raced
mostly for Phoenix Racing; he’s run a total of five races for the team. His
finishes are mostly inside the top 15; his worst finish was 33rd at Pocono. His
best finish was 11th at Phoenix. Allmendinger also had his first Nationwide
race since 2007 coming up at Road America. He would be racing for Roger Penske,
driving the No. 22.
It seemed like luck was starting
to follow Allmendinger. He would be racing at Michigan for JTG Daugherty, and
it was announced that he would share the ride with veteran driver Bobby
Labonte. Allmendinger would go on to finish 19th in Michigan.
After Michigan, Allmendinger was
gearing up for his Nationwide race at Road America. On the day of qualifying he
went out and got the pole. It was looking to be a great weekend for him, but
that was only the start for Allmendinger. He went on to lead a total of 29
laps, he had the best car all day as well as the fastest.
In the end though, it wasn't about being the
best car, it was about winning. That’s
what he did - he went out there and won. Emotions were very high to see how far
this young driver has come since 2012.
This weekend marks the one-year
anniversary of Allmendinger’s failed drug test. So much has happened to him in
just a period of a year. In fact, seeing him today brings a smile to my face
knowing he took the steps needed to be back doing what he loves, and that’s
racing.
Yes, a mistake cost him his Cup
ride with Penske; yes, he had a setback last season. But all that is in the
past. By getting these second chances, Allmendinger is showing his
true potential and showing that sometimes all you need is a second chance. That
all you need is for someone to give you that chance, to repent for your
mistakes.
Because, in the end if we didn’t
make mistakes, we wouldn't learn from them to better ourselves.
A Second Chance for AJ Allmendinger
Reviewed by Lacy Page
on
Thursday, July 04, 2013
Rating:
