NASCAR Reinstates AJ Allmendinger

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - A.J. Allmendinger has been reinstated by NASCAR after completing its "Road to Recovery" program.

Allmendinger was suspended in July for failing a random drug test a month earlier. His backup "B" urine sample also tested positive for a substance NASCAR has not revealed. He has said he tested positive for a prescription drug, Adderall, typically used to treat attention deficit disorder. He said he took it because he was tired.

Allmendinger was released by Penske Racing after the "B" sample failed. Team owner Roger Penske had Allmendinger at the IndyCar season finale last weekend as his guest, and said Allmendinger is a viable candidate for rides in both NASCAR and IndyCar.

Penske also said he'd consider hiring Allmendinger again.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Material may not be redistributed.