AJ Allmendinger Scores a Riveting Nashville Victory

AJ Allmendinger acknowledges the crowd before his win at Nashville Superspeedway. (Photo: Eric Parks | The Podium Finish)

LEBANON, Tenn. – If life starts at 40, then AJ Allmendinger is enjoying the second year of the prime of his motorsports career.

In his third NASCAR XFINTY Series start of the season, Allmendinger, driving the No. 10 Bailey Zimmerman – Religiously Chevrolet fielded by Kaulig Racing, had a bit of a climb to contend for his 17th career win.

Despite starting from the 11th position, the ninth year racer had a competitive car for the 24th NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Nashville Superspeedway. This was evident when he placed third in Stage 1, trailing Ty Gibbs and Cole Custer at the line.

Then, Allmendinger’s race got a bit interesting when he was involved in a Turn 2 incident initiated by contact between Austin Hill and Gibbs, sending Gibbs into a wreck involving Carson Hocevar and Allmendinger.

Allmendinger sustained damage to the right rear and TV panel portion of his car. Despite the unfortunate accident, Allmendinger’s Kaulig Racing pit crew went to work on repairing the damage.

Salvaging a 13th place result in Stage 2, the 41-year-old Los Gatos, California native had a car that was capable of contending for the win. Once Stage 3 was underway, it was all about focusing on pursuing his second win of the XFINITY Series season.

Working his way up to the fifth position, the cagey veteran’s car had tremendous speed in the long run, evident as he worked his way up to third while Custer and Kaulig Racing teammate Chandler Smith were entrenched in a scrape for the lead.

By all means, Allmendinger was fast despite the damage to his car. (Photo: Eric Parks | The Podium Finish)

The multi-lap duel allowed Allmendinger to draw a bead on Smith and Custer. By all means, the two-time regular season champion wasted little time taking second from Custer before passing Smith for the lead on Lap 142.

Surrendering the lead on Lap 146 for what would have been the race’s final pit stops, Allmendinger ultimately cycled to the second spot before trailing Parker Kligerman inside the final 20 laps.

Kligerman opted for a bit of a Hail Mary, fuel mileage strategy to gain track position. Hoping for a caution in the final 20 laps, it seemed as if all hope was lost for Kligerman especially once Allmendinger took the lead on Lap 177.

Suddenly, chaos ensued on Lap 184 for Chad Chastain’s spin off Turn 4 into the frontstretch, prompting the first NASCAR Overtime restart. While Allmendinger passed the first test on the initial Overtime restart, more problems ensued in Turn 2 when Josh Berry and Chandler Smith tangled, prompting the race’s final caution.

On the final and decisive Overtime restart, Allmendinger rocketed to a clean, efficient lead, ultimately besting Riley Hebst to the stripe by 1.323 seconds. Naturally, the Californian was pumped up once he clambered out of his winning ride.

“I love you baby! Let’s go! I love you!” Allmendinger exclaimed at the USA camera.

After running to the frontstretch to initially take the checkered flag, he handed it to a young race fan before offering his post-race thoughts to NASCAR on USA pit reporter Dave Burns.

It was arms raised in victory for Allmendinger. (Photo: Eric Parks | The Podium Finish)

“I need to get my breath back here, Dave. I’m kinda old for this. It’s hot!” Allmendinger said. “I can’t believe I gotta race tomorrow now. All thanks to all the men and women at Kaulig Racing. Got Bailey Zimmerman. He flew in from Chicago this morning. Awesome to have him here and win a race for him.

“The car was really good. Got caught up in that wreck on that one restart. And I thought our chance to win was over but the guys did such a great job of fixing it. Can’t thank everybody (enough) at Xfinity for putting this show on. ECR, Chevy, all the men and women at Kaulig Racing, Nutrien Ag Solutions, LeafFilter, Celsius, on our car tomorrow, just so proud of it. This is one of those iconic trophies you want to win and what a cool way to do it.”

As customary as it is for the Nashville Superspeedway to earn a Gibson guitar, Allmendinger may need to take up some lessons.

“I got a really good guy here to teach me so Bailey’s gonna have to teach me how to play the guitar,” he said. “Any time you win on an oval or any race, Dave. Hell, I don’t know when I’m going to do this again. You don’t know when it’s your last win. So, yea, all these wins are amazing.

“I love winning on ovals because I know a lot of people doubt me being on an oval. So what a day.”

The father to be kept his wife, Tara, in mind especially with their baby boy expected in August. For a driver whose place in racing seemed in doubt a decade ago, Allmendinger finds himself enjoying the prime of his life, personally and professionally.

It would seem Allmendinger has a good chance to win Sunday night’s race if the XFINITY victory was any indicator. (Photo: Trish McCormack | The Podium Finish)

“My very pregnant wife is in Nebraska right now with her family doing a baby shower,” Allmendinger said. “Love you, Mom and Dad, all my friends and family. What a great time. Life is good!”

Stage 1 Top 10 Results

1. Ty Gibbs
2. Cole Custer
3. AJ Allmendinger
4. Carson Hocevar
5. Sammy Smith
6. Chandler Smith
7. Riley Herbst
8. Sam Mayer
9. John Hunter Nemechek
10. Parker Kligerman

Stage 2 Top 10 Results

1. Chandler Smith
2. Cole Custer
3. Daniel Hemric
4. Sam Mayer
5. Riley Herbst
6. John Hunter Nemechek
7. Zane Smith
8. Josh Berry
9. Parker Retzlaff
10. Brett Moffitt

Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville Superspeedway Race Results