RPM and Allmendinger have agreed to a contract that calls from him to race in the 2009 season, with the team retaining an option for 2010. The team plans to participate in more races this year if sponsorship can be found.

"This is pretty awesome news for me," Allmendinger said. "I just want to get behind the wheel of a race car and race. We have a lot of work to do on the track and need to sell some sponsorship, but this team has great equipment, and I think there is a lot of chemistry here based on how we did at the end of last season."

Allmendinger finished 36th in the 2008 Sprint Cup point standings with two top-10 point standings. He drove the No.10 Dodge for Gillett Evernham Motorsports in the final five races last year.

"I cannot put into words how excited I am to run the No.44 in 2009," he said. "I raced with these guys five times last year and loved everything about it. The cars were great, the guys were great and we put up some pretty good results. I'm just very grateful to have this opportunity."

Earlier this month, GEM and Petty Holdings announced an agreement in principle to form a Sprint Cup organization, which has been renamed Richard Petty Motorsports.

Allmendinger begins his third full season in NASCAR competition after driving in the Champ Car World Series.

"AJ has a ton of potential," team co-owner Richard Petty said. "I went testing with him a few weeks ago. When he climbed out of the car I think he went to everyone working on the car asking them questions and wanting to know what was going on. That's the kind of thing you want out of your driver. He's a young guy, and I think we can help him and he can help us."

Sammy Johns will serve as Allmendinger's crew chief.

Allmendinger will team with drivers Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Reed Sorenson at RPM.