The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

(AP) --  A.J. Allmendinger will make his NASCAR season debut this Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway.
 
Allmendinger, who didn't have a ride for the season-opening Daytona 500, will drive for Phoenix Racing in the No. 51 Guy Roofing Chevrolet.

 It will be Allmendinger's fifth race with Phoenix Racing, which gave him a chance last year after NASCAR reinstated him following his suspension for failing a random drug test.
 
Allmendinger has eight previous Cup starts at the Phoenix track, where he's got two top-10 finishes.

He's also won one pole and started on the front row three times.

(Copyright ©2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)