Allgaier’s NASCAR journey parallels that of Grant Enfinger in Vehicles in that each have spent nearly all of their careers in a single sequence the place they’ve discovered success however by no means gained a championship.
Oddly sufficient, Enfinger as soon as drove for an ARCA Menards Collection workforce owned by Allgaier’s household.
“There could be nothing cooler than the 2 of us celebrating profitable a championship on the identical weekend,” Allgaier stated.
Whereas Enfinger’s had a steadier path to the Championship 4 in Vehicles, Allgaier’s title alternative happened final Saturday at Martinsville, Va., in dramatic fashion.
Heading into Flip 3 on the ultimate of 256 laps, Richard Childress Racing teammates Sheldon Creed and Austin Hill acquired collectively on the monitor racing for the lead.
The transfer opened the door for Allgaier to dive inside Creed and the 2 raced fender-to-fender to the checkered flag, the place Allgaier got here away with the win and automated development to the title race. Creed and Hill had been each eradicated from the playoffs.
Now Allgaier, with 13-plus seasons and 23 wins within the Xfinity Collection, all of a sudden has a official alternative so as to add a championship to his resume. His earlier finest end was runner-up within the 2020 season.
“I’ve stated this many a occasions, however I don’t know {that a} championship would outline a profession for me,” Allgaier stated. “I’ve been greater than blessed to be in his sport for so long as I’ve, pushed some wonderful race vehicles and had some wonderful folks round me.
“I simply really feel like this yr is totally different. Sitting beneath the (late-race) crimson flag at Martinsville really was in all probability one of the best factor that ever occurred. I regarded on the odds of constructing the ultimate 4. I gave myself a five-percent probability, and that’s in all probability being a little bit bit beneficiant.
“I don’t know if there’s any future in it, however so as to win a championship, you’ve acquired to be within the closing 4. If the 5 % doesn’t occur final week at Martinsville, I don’t also have a shot at it. I believe that’s really one thing for me that does go a great distance.”
Photograph by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Sheldon Creed, Richard Childress Racing, Whelen Chevrolet Camaro, Justin Allgaier, JR Motorsports, Hellmann’s Chevrolet Camaro
Whereas Allgaier and his No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet workforce have had some hiccups alongside the way in which, they’ve been among the many most constant groups in efficiency.
He’s amassed 4 wins this yr – with two coming within the playoffs – and led 643 laps, second-most within the sequence behind John Hunter Nemechek, who has seven wins.
Becoming a member of Allgaier and Nemechek in Saturday’s championship battle are Allgaier’s JRM teammate, Sam Mayer, and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer. It’s a really aggressive area with the 4 drivers totaling 17 victories.
“Whether or not we win or we don’t win, this yr has been phenomenal. We’ve had quick race vehicles. Shoot, I’ve made extra errors in 2023 than I’ve made in all probability in complete profession mixed — pit highway dashing penalties and simply dumb stuff,” Allgaier stated.
“However once I take a look at the vehicles that we’ve dropped at the race monitor, that is arguably probably the most velocity week-in, week-out, and a variety of it simply comes right down to preparation for me.”
Capitalizing on each alternative
The result of Martinsville offered the proper instance.
“I knew we weren’t in place to win the race,” he stated. “We didn’t have the automobile to win the race. However my workforce stayed related. They stayed behind me, they saved pushing me, and we had a five-percent probability, and we got here out with a win.
“Once I sat beneath that crimson flag and I knew we didn’t have a shot at it, it sort of modified my notion of the season, and it’s all for the higher.
“I really feel like I come right here with a brand new invigoration to achieve success and to win races, and it’s good.”
