Allmendinger not giving up on NASCAR

The team are expected to announce their future plans at Talladega this weekend and Allmendinger is expected to be replaced in the short term by Mike Skinner, with Scott Speed taking over the No.84 car before the end of the year.

But Allmendinger is eager to find another ride in the series and hopes his performance at Kansas will have shown his worth to the other teams.

"I always feel like I have something to prove, especially when you're told you might not be the guy that's going to be back next year," said the American, who won five Champ Car races in 2006 before switching to NASCAR last season.

"You go out there with a little bit of a chip on your shoulder and you fight hard - that's what I did. You've got to prove something to team owners, and hopefully they see what kind of character I have, that I'm doing going to lay down. I'm not going to give up, I'm going to keep on fighting.

"I've still got a lot to prove, but I know I can do this. Hopefully I can show that, and I need a ride for next year. I've clawed and scratched too hard in NASCAR to just go out there and lay down. Hopefully we're back next week, if not, what a send off."

Allmendinger's crew chief Jimmy Elledge rate's him as one of the top drivers in the series and says he still has a bright future in NASCAR.

"I'm really proud of AJ for knowing he's not going to be back in that car and posting his best career finish, it shows that he's not laying down," said Elledge.

"I hate that the timing of the situation worked out like it did because we've performed pretty well, but that should make a good statement for the people that are looking at him.

"I think he's definitely the top pick of what's out there right now, I think he's got a bright future, that's why I went to work there. I've seen a lot of potential in him from when he first started driving. He's going to do well for other people."