Allmendinger not interested in drive for USF1 team?

UPDATE Word is that Peter Windsor has secured a release from Richard Petty Motorsports for AJ Allmendinger to test for the USF1 team. Face it, Allmendinger's background is open wheel racing and he did very well in Champ Car driving for Forsythe Racing, beating Sebastien Bourdais handily in a number of races. The other American drivers who could be a candidate alongside Allmendinger (the team would like to have two Americans but may go with one experienced F1 driver and one American according to Windsor) would be Scott Speed, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Graham Rahal. Marco Andretti may have had a chance but he has not shown well in A1GP and is still a question mark. With weight such a big factor in F1 this year, Allmendinger and Andretti may fit the bill. As for Danica Patrick, that would just be a PR stunt. Her place, her career, is best served in the IRL. Mark C.

02/21/09

AJ Allmendinger at Fontana Friday

In a news conference at Fontana Friday former Champ Car star AJ Allmendinger, and now part-time Richard Petty Motorsports driver, says he is focused on his NASCAR career and dismissed the possibility of him being a candidate to drive for the new USF1 team set to be unveiled next week.

"I'm not focused on that," said Allmendinger. "I loved being a part of NASCAR. Going to all these races and being around the fans, I enjoy being here. I enjoy the racing… I enjoy all that.

"I'm a true American at heart; I like to in-between races…watch my NFL on Sunday and all that. I've learned in this sport, after everything that has happened to me the last couple of years, don't deny anything. Just nod your head and smile and say there's a chance."

"It has intrigue for sure," he said about the possibility of sampling F1 machinery. "Driving a racecar, no matter what it is, has intrigue to me. That (F1 car) is something that I haven't driven before, so it's intriguing, but it's not my focus either.

"I really do love being here (in NASCAR). I've had a lot of fun during the stressful times. Especially this year with the group of guys that we've put together for the 44 (car) because it was a last minute deal, they are guys that want to be here.

"We're having fun. Through all the stressful times that we had in Daytona, in-between that, I was having a lot of fun. Probably the most fun that I've had at a race track in long time. You don't say 'no' to anything, but that's not my focus."