Allmendinger Fined $10,000

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TALLADEGA, Ala. — NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendinger was required to take a breath test before Friday's practice at Talladega Superspeedway following his arrest on a drunken driving charge.

Allmendinger was arrested by Mooresville (N.C.) police early Thursday morning. He was placed on probation by NASCAR through the end of the season and said he had no problem when series officials asked him to take the test.

"I know what I've done," Allmendinger said. "I respect the punishment and everything that I have to do to gain the trust back of NASCAR and everybody that's out there racing with me. It's not the best feeling in the world, but at the same point I respect that I have to go do it."

Mooresville police said Allmendinger, who drives the No. 44 Dodge for Richard Petty Motorsports, failed a field sobriety test after being pulled over shortly after leaving a bar.

Allmendinger registered 0.08 on the breath test, the police report said. Under North Carolina law, that means his license will be automatically suspended for 30 days.

On Friday, RPM fined Allmendinger $10,000, which will be donated to charity. The team also put him on probation through the end of next season.

Allmendinger enters Sunday's race 25th in points and is considered part of RPM's long-term plans. Team officials told The Associated Press that Allmendinger was going to be moved into Petty's famed No. 43 next season.

• NASCAR has pulled Michael Waltrip off the track for aggressive driving at Talladega Superspeedway. Waltrip was warned to give Jimmie Johnson some space during Friday's practice session as he bump-drafted behind Johnson's car. When Waltrip didn't let up, he was black-flagged for the final 30 minutes of practice.

• Lance McGrew had the interim tag removed from his crew chief title Friday when Hendrick Motorsports said he'll stay with Dale Earnhardt Jr. next season.

• NASCAR will allow double-file restarts in its Truck Series in 2010, part of a series of modifications coming to the circuit next year. Teams will be able to add fuel and change tires on the same pit stop, and teams will be able to have a maximum of six crew members in the pits during the race, up from five this year.

• Joe Gibbs Racing officials told Steve Addington earlier this week that Sunday's race at Talladega Superspeedway will be his last as crew chief for Kyle Busch's team.

• Colin Braun drove a fast lap of 179.608 mph to earn pole position for today's Camping World Truck Series Mountain Dew 250 in Talladega, Ala. Terry Cook was second at 178.188.