Former Hollister resident and NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendinger
was arrested early Thursday morning in Mooresville, N.C., and
charged with drunken driving, according to the Associated
Press.
HOLLISTER
Former Hollister resident and NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendinger was arrested early Thursday morning in Mooresville, N.C., and charged with drunken driving, according to the Associated Press.
Allmendinger, who drives the No. 44 car for Richard Petty Motorsports, failed a field sobriety test after he was pulled over at 1:27 a.m. He registered a .08, according to police reports.
“I made an error in judgment last night for which I take full responsibility,” Allmendinger said in a statement released by Richard Petty Motorsports. “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 …”
NASCAR placed Allmendinger on probation until Dec. 31.
“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,” Allmendinger said. “Just don’t risk it. I will do my best to make it right and use this to learn myself and hopefully educate others.”
The news comes shortly after The Associated Press reported Allmendinger would move from the No. 44 car to the No. 43 car next season, with Best Buy expected to be the car’s sponsor.
Allmendinger, 27, was born in Los Gatos and graduated from Leigh High in San Jose before moving to Hollister. He currently resides in Huntersville, N.C.
