However, the deal was signed only for the first 8 races of the Sprint Cup season, including the Budweiser Shootout in mid-February. The team is hoping to secure the necessary sponsorship for a full-time campaign of the No 44 Dodge in 2009. Also, RPM has the first option of extending Allmendinger's deal through the 2010 Sprint Cup season.
“This is pretty awesome news for me. I just want to get behind the wheel of a race car and race. We have a lot of work to do on the track and need to sell some sponsorship, but this team has great equipment and I think there is a lot of chemistry here based on how we did at the end of last season,” said Allmendinger after signing the new deal.
“I cannot put into words how excited I am to run the No. 44 in 2009. I raced with these guys five times last year and loved everything about it. The cars were great, the guys were great and we put up some pretty good results. I'm just very grateful to have this opportunity,” added Allmendinger.
During the 5 outings he had with Richard Petty Motorsports in 2008, the California-based driver posted an average finish of 16.4. Before replacing Patrick Carpentier in the No 10 Dodge, Allmendinger had posted two Top 10 finishes for Red Bull Racing in last year's Sprint Cup, while also clinching the Sprint Showdown at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
“A.J. has a ton of potential. I went testing with him a few weeks ago. When he climbed out of the car I think he went to everyone working on the car asking them questions and wanting to know what was going on. That's the kind of thing you want out of your driver. He's a young guy and I think we can help him and he can help us,” said team owner Richard Petty after announcing his new driver.
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