Allmendinger to drive No. 51

A.J. Allmendinger will make his return to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Allmendinger will take over the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet vacated by Kurt Busch, who is moving to the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet starting this weekend.

This will be Allmendinger’s first race since he was suspended prior to the July event at Daytona Int’l Speedway for failing a NASCAR drug test.

He has since completed NASCAR’s Road to Recovery Program.

Regan Smith was originally tabbed to drive the No. 51 Chevrolet, but he instead will drive the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet because Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has been sidelined with a concussion.