As shown above, AJ Allmendinger raced his way into Charlotte’s ROVAL Victory Lane. (Photo Credit: Stephen Conley/TPF)
By all means, Matt Kaulig isn’t afraid to take a risk as he did with signing AJ Allmendinger to a part-time schedule. Sure, Justin Haley came into the season as the full-time driver of the No. 11 LeafFilter Chevrolet and had high hopes and expectations.
However, the season just hasn’t been there for Haley. In like manner, after breaking a rear end on his Camaro, Haley now sits 39 points out, needing a win heading to Dover to advance in the playoffs.
Haley was visibly disgusted after the race and said as much…or as little.
“We broke on lap one, what are you gonna do–I just don’t know,” Haley said.
Chris Rice, General Manager of Kaulig Racing, said in the Charlotte Media Center that they know the 10 isn’t a winning team right now on the ovals, but that they have to just go to Homestead in position to finish fifth.
“We’ve got work to do,” Rice acknowledged.
That Winning Feeling
On the other hand, it was a trip to Victory Lane again as A.J. Allmendinger took it over Tyler Reddick on Charlotte’s challenging ROVAL.
Allmendinger took over the lead late following a rash of yellow flags, something that was not prevalent during the first part of the race. All in all prior to Stage 3, there was only one big wreck with Tyler Reddick over driving the chicane on lap one.
Certainly, Allmendinger was extremely thankful for his time with Kaulig Racing, even after getting two disqualifications early in the year.
After the race, he mentioned how Kaulig and Rice wanted him back in the car in 2020 to help the team grow.
Rice said, “If we don’t win, it’s not your fault. You are better than these race cars and we want to get up to your level.”
Of course, Allmendinger is very accepting of this idea, and said, “If they want me, I’ll be there.”
When rewinding to last year, Allmendinger contemplated about his future in racing.
In spite of an uncertain 2019, Allmendinger excelled with Kaulig. (Photo Credit: Daniel Overbey/TPF)
“I’ve always said this is really been a grind, and it hasn’t been a lot of fun,” he admitted. “This time, I’m back in victory lane, and it makes it fun again. We’re all in it together, (and) we win and lose as a team. This means a lot to me.”
Playoff Impact
With AJ Allmendinger running a part-time schedule, the win didn’t count towards the NASCAR XFINITY Series Playoffs. However, the title contenders realized it was a lost opportunity.
Despite locking into the Round of 8, points leader Christopher Bell, running as high as second, dropped to 12th in the final rundown.
Following the race, Allmendinger said, “I love watching Christopher race. I knew if I was stuck behind him for a couple of laps, he was going to get comfortable and get gone. (So) I had to go then another four or five laps and it was over for me. I enjoy this race team.”
While Allmendinger won Saturday’s race, Tyler Reddick, Austin Cindric, Justin Allgaier and Noah Gragson rounded out the top-five. Cole Custer clinched his way into the Round of 8 by virtue of points. Above all, Allmendinger not only won at the ROVAL, but he’ll also walk down the aisle to marry longtime girlfriend Tara Lea Meador.