A.J. Allmendinger Camp: Stimulant Caused Positive Drug Test

A.J. Allmendinger's positive drug test was from a banned stimulant, the suspended NASCAR driver's business manager said.

In a statement released Wednesday, Tara Ragan did not specify the drug that caused NASCAR to suspend Allmendinger hours before the start of Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. The statement indicated it might have come from an over-the-counter supplement.

"A.J. tested positive for a stimulant. He has no idea why the first test was positive, and he has never knowingly taken any prohibited substance," Ragan said. "A.J. is collecting his medicines and supplements for testing to determine whether an over-the-counter product caused his positive test."

Allmendinger has formally requested a test of his "B" sample. If it matches the postive "A", he would be suspended indefinitely by NASCAR and would need to complete a substance-abuse program before being considered for reinstatement.

A stimulant is defined as an agent that produces a temporary increase of the functional activity or efficiency of an organism.

In the NASCAR rule book's section on substance abuse, stimulants are defined as including amphetamine, methamphetamine, Ecstasy (MDMA), Eve (MDEA), MDA, PMA, Phentermine and other amphetamine derivatives and related compounds.

Ragan said the "B" sample test had not been scheduled as of Wednesday morning. Once the test takes place, NASCAR has said it could take up to five days to get a result.

"We will have the opportunity to review all of the scientific data surrounding the test following the 'B' sample test," Ragan said. "But our understanding is that AJ's test was slightly above the threshold."

Sam Hornish Jr. will replace Allmendinger in the No. 22 Dodge for the second consecutive week.