AJ Allmendinger Eagerly Prepared for Las Vegas

AJ Allmendinger is still reeling from his Charlotte ROVAL win heading into Sunday’s South Point 400 at Las Vegas. (Photo: Christopher Vargas | The Podium Finish)

LAS VEGAS — There is nothing like coming off a win from the most recent NASCAR Cup Series as AJ Allmendinger can likely attest.

Last Sunday, the 41-year-old Los Gatos, California native scored his third career Cup win, perhaps his most emotional one as his 2024 plans have yet to be formalized. Nevertheless, he has an optimistic mindset when it comes to Sunday’s South Point 400 at the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

In his previous two starts at the Sin City venue, he has finishes of ninth and 18th, good enough for an average finish of 13.5. Better yet, in terms of active full-time Cup racers, he has the 10th highest average finish at the distinguished speed palace.

Over the years, the Kaulig Racing driver has shown his comfort and confidence at this venue. Namely, he scored an electrifying victory in the 2021 NASCAR XFINITY Series regular season race at Las Vegas, a moment that kicked off the passionate racer’s full-time return to stock car competition.

Presently, Allmendinger, who ranks 21st, sits 26 points behind 20th place Alex Bowman and 122 points from 17th place Chase Elliott. While his future plans are being solidified, a strong conclusion to the year may do wonders for the versatile Californian.

Prior to qualifying 22nd for Sunday’s 267-lap race, Allmendinger considered the track’s distinct characteristics.

“Las Vegas is your traditional mile and a half racetrack,” he said in a Team Chevy press release. “Both ends are a little bit different, it’s a very smooth racetrack through (Turns) 3 and 4, a little bit of bumps through (Turns) 1 and 2. We’ve had good speed there and ran near the front, earning a top-10 finish in the fall race last year.”

Ahead of Sunday’s race at Las Vegas, AJ Allmendinger has been waiting to return to this Sin City track. (Photo: Christopher Vargas | The Podium Finish)

His top 10 result in last year’s race showcased some of the progress by his team’s intermediate track program. Certainly, it is an aspect that he hopes to capitalize on with next weekend’s race at Homestead-Miami serving as the last, true intermediate track of the season.

Then, there is the man on a mission perspective to consider. Allmendinger is reeling off one of the most pivotal victories of his racing career, conquering the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL as he had for four consecutive years in the NASCAR XFINITY Series.

Although Allmendinger and his No. 16 team, with crew chief Matt Swierdeski, missed this year’s Playoffs, they had a budding run at making the Round of 16. Clearly, the man who embodies the team’s belief in trophy hunting has plenty left in his tank.

Likewise, he is exuding genuine confidence with those working on his No. 16 Nutrien Ag Solutions Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 on a weekly basis. Always the first to acknowledge those at the shop and the track each weekend, he is motivated to succeed for those believing in furthering his lifelong dream in motorsports.

If there is a driver to watch this Sunday afternoon who can make some noise, it is Allmendinger. When a driver circles a date on their calendar, no matter the qualifying position, chances are, that driver is going to have a great race day performance and result.

“I think we can go there, be competitive and keep building on the speed that we’ve had in our cars,” Allmendinger said. “We have the potential to have a strong finish to the year and Vegas is one of those races I have circled as an opportunity to run upfront and put ourselves in position to have a solid run.”