Allmendinger Leaving RPM To Drive Penske's No. 22 Sprint Cup Series Ride

Penske Racing Wednesday announced that AJ Allmendinger "will leave Richard Petty Motorsports to drive the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge" in '12, according to Jay Pfeifer of SCENEDAILY.com. Allmendinger "will replace Kurt Busch, who parted ways with Penske Racing after the 2011 season." Allmendinger "will work with rookie crew chief Todd Gordon" (SCENEDAILY.com, 12/21). ESPN.com's David Newton reported Allmendinger was "picked over David Ragan, who interviewed with the Dodge team and sponsor Shell Pennzoil shortly after Busch was released." Ragan "could be a candidate" to pilot RPM's No. 43, although sources said that the team "has talked to Busch twice about the job and he appears to be the front-runner if sponsorship can be found." Ragan also "could drive for Phoenix Racing, with which he had a tentative agreement before pursuing the 22." RPM released a statement Tuesday saying that it "plans to remain a two-car team in 2012" (ESPN.com, 12/21).