AJ Allmendinger on probation after DUI

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- NASCAR placed driver AJ Allmendinger on probation yesterday following his arrest early in the morning on a charge of drunken driving.

Mooresville police said Allmendinger failed a field sobriety test after he was pulled over.

Late yesterday afternoon, he was placed on probation until the end of the year for actions detrimental to stock car racing.

Allmendinger, who drives the No. 44 for Richard Petty Motorsports, said in a statement he had drinks with dinner on Wednesday and made a mistake by driving afterward.

"I honestly felt fine, but I obviously should have erred more on the side of caution, particularly given what I do for a living," Allmendinger said. "It was a bad judgment call and I apologize for that."

Allmendinger registered 0.08 on the breath test, the police report said. Under North Carolina law, that means his license will be automatically suspended for 30 days.