After losing NASCAR ride, Allmendinger makes most of second chance with strong Indy 500 run

AJ Allmendinger drives through the first turn during the Indianapolis 500 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Tom Strattman) (The Associated Press)

INDIANAPOLIS – A.J. Allmendinger made the most of his second chance from Roger Penske.

After losing his Sprint Cup ride following a failed drug test, Allmendinger was given a shot to drive for Penske in Sunday's Indianapolis 500. He qualified in the second row and, after falling back at the start, soon found himself leading the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

Allmendinger spent most of the afternoon running near the front, even after a seatbelt came undone and forced him to pit out of sequence. He wound up finishing seventh in his Indianapolis debut when a late wreck by Dario Franchitti forced the race to end under caution.

Tony Kanaan had driven past Ryan Hunter-Reay just before Franchitti's wreck to win the race.