DRIVER BIO: Anthony James (AJ) Allmendinger, Driver, No. 44 Dodge Charger

Anthony James (AJ) Allmendinger got his first taste for speed in his home state of California, a place synonymous for spitting out fast racers in four-wheeled disciplines. His dad raced midget and sprint cars, so a life behind the wheel was inevitable. "Almost from birth, I've been at the track every weekend," Allmendinger explains. "I loved racing, and I grew to be part of it. It's a passion."

Allmendinger delivered blistering drives early on in his racing career, earning two International Karting Federation Grand National championships. In 2000, his performance in the Champ Car Stars of Tomorrow program earned a Champ Car test with Team Rahal. Then Allmendinger won the Barber Champ Car Karting Scholarship to participate in the 2001 Formula Dodge National Championship Series. He finished as vice-champion for the season and immediately ascended to the 2002 Barber Dodge Pro Series - claiming six race wins, Rookie-of-the-Year honors, and the championship.

The youngster's talent was reconfirmed in 2003 in the Toyota Atlantic series. In his greenhorn year, he shattered track records and logged eight poles and eight victories en route to the championship title. The 21-year old captured the Atlantic series record for most wins in a single season by a rookie, and became the second-youngest driver ever to win the championship.

In 2004, Allmendinger graduated into the big leagues - the Champ Car World Series - earning five top-five finishes including two podiums and rookie of the year honors. His 2005 season was again marked by standout performances including six top-five finishes, four of which were podiums. After a mid-year Champ Car shakeup in 2006, Allmendinger made his new team regulars in victory lane, amassing five season wins and a runner-up position for the series' championship.

Rumors of AJ's flirtation with the NASCAR world ran rampant mid-season of 2006. By October, Allmendinger had announced a three-race stint in the NASCAR Truck Series. His stellar performance prompted an invitation to join Team Red Bull's 2007 NASCAR Sprint effort, and ended with Allmendinger signing on the dotted line to race the No. 84.

After two years behind the wheel of the No. 84, Allmendinger joined Richard Petty Motorsports driving the No. 10 Dodge for the final five races of the 2008 season. In the brief time together, Allmendinger turned in some impressive performances. He scored the 14th most points of any driver in those races.

Richard Petty Motorsports - born out of merger between GEM and Petty Holdings in January – will field Allmendinger’s No. 44 Dodge in 2008 with veteran crew chief Sammy Johns calling the shots.

“I just want to get behind the wheel of a race car and race. I’m tired of talking, now it’s time for driving. 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.”