Allmendinger set to stay at RPM

The Californian, who is currently in his fourth year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has signed a multi-year contract extension with the squad, according to multiple sources, an official announcement already set for Friday morning at Watkins Glen.

Allmendinger first drove for Petty at Martinsville in October of 2008, when the team still raced under the Gillett Evernham Motorsports banner. He joined the outfit after losing his seat at Red Bull Racing close to the end of the season, giving way to Scott Speed.

Allmendinger had been signed along Brian Vickers to lead Red Bull's entry into NASCAR's top level in 2007, a year that proved a tough experience for both.

Last year he was signed by RPM for a limited number of races due to budget constraints, but a solid start to his year with a third place in the Daytona 500, plus other solid finishes, allowed him to keep his seat with the Ford squad for the whole season.

This year the former ChampCar race winner claimed his maiden Sprint Cup series pole position at Phoenix and to date he has three top-ten finishes, ranking 22nd in the driver standings.

Kasey Kahne, the leading RPM driver, is set to leave the team at the end of the season, having signed for Hendrick Motorsports, while Elliot Sadler's status for next year remains uncertain.

Australian Marcos Ambrose has been linked to the team for 2011, after he announced he would leave JTG Daugherty at the end of the season.