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TALLADEGA, Ala. -- AJ Allmendinger, arrested early Thursday for driving while impaired, said he had to take a breathalyzer for NASCAR before he could practice Friday afternoon at Talladega Superspeedway.

Allmendinger was stopped by Mooresville police and cited for having a blood alcohol level of .08, the minimum to be arrested in North Carolina. NASCAR announced Thursday it had placed Allmendinger on probation, since he admitted guilt in a statement released by the team.

Friday, Allmendinger's team, Richard Petty Motorsports, said it placed him on probation through the 2010 racing season and fined him $10,000 with that money going to charity.

"I respect the punishment and everything I have to do to gain the trust back of NASCAR and everybody that is out there racing with me," he said.

STILL TOGETHER: Hendrick Motorsports said Lance McGrew will be Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief next season. McGrew has worked with Earnhardt on an interim basis since June, replacing Tony Eury Jr.

McGrew vowed changes for the only Hendrick team not in the Chase. Personnel changes to Earnhardt's team also are possible.

NEW LOOK: Kyle Busch said that "for some reason something just didn't click'' about working with crew chief Steve Addington. Dave Rogers replaces Addington as Busch's crew chief after this weekend.

"When you're not beating (Jimmie Johnson), something's got to change," Busch said. "The rest of these people are all staying the same and, yet, they're not beating (Johnson). You've got to look at yourself compared to them week in and week out.''

SCHEDULE CHANGES: Dover Motorsports Inc. will cease all operations at Memphis Motorsports Park and won't host any events next year. The Memphis truck race will move to Nashville Superspeedway on April 2.

Contact Dustin Long at 373-7031 or dustin.long@news-record.com