38 races, if you include the Budweiser Shootout and the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race.

It’s been an up and down year for many in this elite driving series.  This 2012 season provided some moments that surprised, shocked, and even created some NASCAR history.  From the Daytona 500 that raced in primetime on Monday to the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the Sprint Cup boys definitely provided the fans with some memorable moments.

Here are some of the moments and races that I definitely will remember for years to come:

A jet dryer bursts into flames after being hit by Juan Pablo Montoya.
(Photo from: Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)

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Tyler Barrick/Getty Imag

When it came to NASCAR”s substance abuse policy and history of enforcement, there was one case that really came to mind.

Jeremy Mayfield is his name. Mayfield thought he could fight NASCAR after he was kicked out of his ride in 2009 but lost and hasn’t been back to a NASCAR sanctioned track since.

The substance abuse policy hasn’t just effected the Sprint Cup series. Shane Hmiel and Aaron Fike have suffered similiar issues.

When NASCAR announced prior to the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona in July that AJ Allmedinger had failed a drug test and was being placed on suspension, I was more than shocked.

Two weeks later Allmendinger lost his ride at Penske Racing, but never for the penalty from NASCAR.

On Tuesday, NASCAR announced that Allmendinger was reinstated after successfully completing the NASCAR’s Substance Abuse Policy Road to Recovery Program.

“I want to thank everyone for their support through this entire process,” Allmendinger said in a statement. “I appreciate that NASCAR created the the Road to Recovery program, and am grateful for the opportunity to return to competition.”

With the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series nearing it’s final nine races, there is no way fans will see him behind the wheel the rest of the season.  He has been however invited to take part in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January and Roger Penske has considering putting him in one of his open wheel rides.

The fact that “The Dinger” has he is often referred by can return two months after he was suspended is a telling sign for the first rule of anyone suffering from any type of addiction. You definitely can’t fix the problem if you don’t seek the help first.

A.J. Allmendinger deserves all the credit in the world for getting himself back on the track personally and professionally.

And judging from the support he’s received on social media since the announcement of his reinstatement, Allmendinger will be welcomed back with open arms, wherever he ends up.

Associated Press
Tony Stewart celebrates after winning the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday.

Unlike the Daytona 500 in February, which had to be delayed for more than 30 hours because of ran, the weather for the Coke Zero 400 on Saturday night was perfect.

The racing on the track left little to the imagination, as the first half of the scheduled 160 laps were caution free. The first caution was on Lap 82, when Sam Hornish, Jr. cut a tire and spun. Hornish wasn’t even scheduled to race in this event today. He was a quick replacement for Penske Racing teammate AJ Allmendinger, who was suspended by NASCAR after receiving a positive drug test of his “A” sample taken randomly last week at Kentucky Speedway. Allmendinger has 72 hours to formally request his “B” sample be tested.

While the theme of the night was circled around Allmendinger’s issues off the track, on the track it was Roush-Fenway Racing’s dominance on the track. Matt Kenseth, who announced recently would be leaving RFR at seasons end, would clinch the most bonus pints for lead the most laps but at the end of the night it was Tony Stewart who was able to pass Kenseth with half a lap to go and capture his fourth Coke Zero 400 victory, while the rest of the field was wrecking behind him. Read the rest of this entry »

AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #22 Pennzoil Dodge, celebrates after qualifying for pole position in NASCAR Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 18, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR)

A.J. Allmendinger and the No. 22 team will start on the pole for Saturday’s Sprint Showdown after being on the top of the speed charts on Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Allmendinger turned a lap of 192.465 mph. NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. who was quickest in practice will start third.

Twenty-two drivers make up the field for the Showdown, a 40 lap preliminary event prior to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. The top-two finishers in this event will advance into the starting field for the All-Star race, which also had speed trials today for the pole.

Starting Lineup:
1. A.J. Allmendinger
2. Martin Truex, Jr.
3. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
4. Jeff Burton
5. Aric Almirola
6. Landon Cassill
7. Juan Pablo Montoya
8. Bobby Labonte
9. Travis Kvapil
10. David Stremme Read the rest of this entry »