Allmendinger signs with Penske

UPDATE! (1/4/12 5:32 P.M)
 Aric Almirola will drive the 43 in the Cup series in 2012!


UPDATE! (12/21/11 5:30 P.M)

David Ragan is rumored to be the front runner for the No. 43 car at RPM!

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AJ Allmendinger seemed to be in a tight situation yesterday when Best Buy anounnced that they would be going to RFR next season. Overnight Allmendinger went from without a sponsor to a new ride. Allmendinger will replace Kurt Busch in the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge in 2012. AJ will be paired with Todd Gordon who was crew chief for Brad Keselowski in the Nationwide series. Allmendinger has had a great 2011 season after coming out of a rough 2010. Now with some of the best equipment at Penske I think he will finally get his first victory. Allmendinger will be able to take the next step and possibly make the Chase in a year or two. Allmendinger previously raced in Champ Car with 5 wins and finished 3rd in the Champ Car World Series in 2005.

RPM wants to continue with a two-car team next season and are looking for candidates. David Ragan, David Reutimann and Brian Vickers are currently looking for rides in 2012. One of these drivers could easily fill the open spot in the No. 43 car at RPM.

"Our plan remains to run a two-car team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012 and we are continuing down that path," CEO of RPM, Brian Moffitt said. "We believe there are several very talented drivers who are still available and would embrace the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the legendary No. 43 Ford Fusion. We continue to move forward and are optimistic about the future of this race team."

We will just have to wait and see who will be in the seat of Richard Petty's classic No. 43 car in 2012!
Congratulations to AJ Allmendinger and Penske on their new partnership!