AJ Allmendinger left ‘heartbroken’ after pair of accidents in Detroit

AJ Allmendinger crashed on the opening lap of both stages of the IndyCar Series doubleheader on the Streets of Bella Isle in Detroit.

On Saturday, he was unable to slow behind congested traffic and collided over the back of Scott Dixon’s rear wing, sending him hard into the turn one tire barrier. On Sunday, he lost control of his car on the opening lap and made contact with the turn two wall.

Both accidents forced him to retire early, having failed to complete a single lap all weekend.

Allmendinger had been fighting a thumb injury since Saturday afternoon but didn’t blame that on the accident, instead citing his own aggression as the sole reason for his quick exit. Team owner Roger Penske was the promoter of the event, and Allmendinger just wishes he could have put on a better performance.

“No, that’s just a poor excuse right there,” Allmendinger said of his thumb. “It was just a huge mistake by me again at the start of the race, trying to be aggressive but not get sucked into everything. I just made a mistake again.

“I don’t know what to say -- I apologize to Roger and everybody at Team Penske; everybody that puts in an effort, all my guys. It’s embarrassing. It’s embarrassing for me. Roger deserves better than that, the sponsors, it’s just a great event here in Detroit.”

The Dual in Detroit was scheduled to be the final races for Allmendinger in the IndyCar Series, barring future developments. Allmendinger is slated to compete for Penske in the NASCAR Nationwide Series events at Mid-Ohio and Road America, but this isn’t how he wanted his return to open-wheel to end.

“I don’t know where I go from here,” Allmendinger said. “I’m heartbroken. I don’t even know what to say anymore... I feel so lucky that Roger believes in me and that’s not even close to how I wanted to repay him. We’ll figure out where I’m going to go.”