Free-agent Sprint Cup Series driver #43-AJ Allmendinger will stay put after signing a contract extension with Richard Petty Motorsports, Sporting News has learned. The contract, signed Tuesday, is a multiyear deal, according to sources close to the situation. The team is optimistic about the prospect of re-signing Allmendinger’s sponsor, Best Buy, though sponsorship was not settled before Tuesday’s contract signing. A formal announcement will take place Friday at Watkins Glen International. The driver of the #43 RPM Ford is 22nd in the series standings. Now that Allmendinger has decided to remain in the organization’s flagship car, RPM will work toward filling the remaining slots on the team. Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler have announced plans to depart at the end of the season. Marcos Ambrose, who will leave the #47 JTG/Daugherty Toyota team at season’s end, is a leading candidate to fill the seat of one of the RPM Fords. Paul Menard, who drives the #98 RPM Ford, has not announced plans for next year but has talked to other teams, including Richard Childress Racing, according to multiple sources.(Sporting News)(8-4-2010)
UPDATE: Richard Petty Motorsports announced that driver AJ Allmendinger has signed a multiyear contract extension with the organization. Allmendinger will remain behind the wheel of the #43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford in the Sprint Cup Series. ‘I am really excited about my future here with Richard Petty Motorsports,’Â said Allmendinger. ‘Its been such an honor to be behind the wheel of The Kings #43 car. I am happy to be able to continue to be his driver and feel for the first time in my NASCAR career I have the chance to build on something. Everyone at RPM and Ford Racing has worked hard to be successful this year and I know were right on the verge of big things.’Â(RPM)(8-6-2010)
