A.J. Allmendinger and Carl Russo claim it wasn’t a fight after a race or a single incident that drove a spike between them but rather an erosion of the relationship that began five years ago.

“It was a marriage gone bad,” said Allmendinger on Friday night, a few hours after the shocking news he’d been let go from his Champ Car ride with RuSPORT after only four races of the 2006 season.

“By no means was this an easy decision and if anyone thinks this is a cavalier decision they’re dreaming,” said Russo, who hired 2002 CART champion Cristiano da Matta to drive No. 10.

“This was about the growth rate of our team and how A.J. fit into it and it was our decision he was not going to improve so it was time for both of us to try a new environment.”

The timing was nearly as eye-opening as the fact a team that was built around Allmendinger no longer wanted him.

“I’ll admit the timing caught me off a bit and I’m a little disappointed it happened after only four races and it’s left me looking,” said the 24-year-old Californian — who was the ONLY American in Champ Car this season and stood fifth in the point standings.

“But we were having our troubles and there were differences in what I wanted for the team and what they wanted for the team.”

Russo countered by stating: “A.J. has to mature as a man, not just as a driver, and maybe some tough love will put him on the right path. Maybe he needs a less sympathetic environment.

“But I’d never give up on someone and then keep them in their #$@# job.”

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