AJ Allmendinger tallies 15 crucial bonus points in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs. (Photo: Kevin Ritchie | The Podium Finish)
BRISTOL, Tenn. – AJ Allmendinger didn’t duplicate his dramatic victory from last year’s Food City 300.
However, another workmanlike top 10 finish and consistency resulted in the 40-year-old Los Gatos, California native winning another NASCAR Xfinity Series regular season championship.
All in all, Allmendinger’s evening at Bristol Motor Speedway was a microcosm of his season to date. Sure, the veteran racer may have overcome a flurry of obstacles and had to work ardently in a scrappy like fashion to battle his peers around the 0.533-mile concrete oval.
That said, the driver of the No. 16 Barger Precast Chevrolet Camaro kept at it and delivered with a strong finish ahead of this year’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs.
Ahead of Friday night’s Food City 300, Allmendinger acknowledged the uphill battle that he and his Kaulig Racing team have faced this season.
“I feel like it’s just been what what we’ve had to do, at times, not very flashy or spectacular,” he said. “We’re working hard at Kaulig Racing a lot to try to find the spin on racecars. It’s easier said than done. And we know that we’re a little bit off. But all the men and women are working hard.
“It’s one of those things, it’d be easier if you knew which area to look in, or maybe where you’re lacking speed, or maybe just a certain type of racetrack, but no, as a whole, I think we’re a bit behind. And we’re having to do what we have to do to make sure we maximize each weekend and try to score the most points possible.”
Without a doubt, Allmendinger extracted the most out of his car by tallying fifth and third place finishes in Stages 1 and 2 before placing sixth, rallying from a late race bobble that dropped him to eighth in the running order.
Allmendinger is ready for another championship battle. (Photo: Kevin Ritchie | The Podium Finish)
Naturally, Allmendinger is focused on winning this year’s championship after battling in last year’s dramatic Championship 4 race at Phoenix Raceway won by Daniel Hemric, his current teammate.
“It’s what we all strive for, to be called the champion,” he observed. “And that’s at the end of the year. The ultimate goal, I do believe that the way the NASCAR championships work now, it is a little bit more challenging because it is based on one race, obviously, it takes a few races to get there during the during the Playoffs, and you have to be on.
“But at the end of the day, it comes down to four drivers in one race and off that race, no matter how great your year has been.”
Allmendinger has enjoyed a great season with his victories in Austin, Portland and Indianapolis along with 12 top fives and 23 top 10 results. As intense and passionate Allmendinger is with racing, he has a good, balanced perspective about the Playoffs and career.
“A championship would be amazing to have, and I would love to be able to have that on my resume,” he shared. “But everything right now is has been such a bonus than when I ever expected that. If it didn’t happen, I’m OK with that. It not life changing. And everything is just a bonus to this point now.”
