Justin Allgaier and the No. 7 Brandt JR Motorsports team celebrate their first NASCAR Xfinity Series championship at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday, November 9, 2024. (Photo: Ricky Martinez | The Podium Finish)
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Failure was not in the cards for Justin Allgaier at Phoenix Raceway as he seized his first NASCAR Xfinity Series championship in dramatic fashion.
Many people contemplated counting Justin Allgaier out of championship contention after a rough start to his Phoenix weekend. Even throughout the tumultuous race, Allgaier had debated counting himself out “like ten times”, as he told CW Sports post-race.
Championship weekend started out with unwavering confidence for the No. 7 Brandt JR Motorsports Chevrolet team. For the first time this season, they brought a brand new race car and according to Allgaier, it was arguably the best car they had ever brought to Phoenix.
Tragedy struck the team quickly as fluid left on the track during practice by the failing No. 44 of Brennan Poole caused a number of cars to spin out and collide with the wall, the No. 7 being one of them. Allgaier’s frustration was clear as he pulled the totaled car back into the garage and slammed his hand on a laptop in anger.
The team was forced to bring out their backup car, which was completely unknown to them handling-wise. Due to the car change, Allgaier had to start the 200-mile event in the back of the field.
Justin Allgaier chasing after fellow championship contender Cole Custer in pursuit of his first Xfinity Series title. (Photo: Ricky Martinez | The Podium Finish)
Right off the bat, it was clear that Allgaier was the car to beat. By Lap 10, he had already jumped up 19 positions after passing fellow championship contender AJ Allmendinger.
“He’s got so much grip. Holy moly,” Allmendinger remarked to his team on the radio as Allgaier blew past him.
With five laps to go in Stage 1, Allgaier successfully made the pass on another of his championship competitors, Cole Custer. He ended Stage 1 in the sixth position.
Having the number one pit stall should have proved to be an advantage for Allgaier, however a slow first pit stop cost him four positions, setting him back to 10th for the restart.
Taking the outside line on the restart, Allgaier shot forward to fifth place while fighting Chandler Smith on his inside. He did not appreciate the way that Smith was racing him, however.
“People like the 81 [Smith], he wonders why he doesn’t have a ride for next year,” Allgaier vented to his team on the radio. “It’s unbelievable.”
Allgaier’s conflicts with other drivers were not over, as he barreled his way through the field on the outside. Carrying a ton of momentum, he made a move to squeeze between Allmendinger and Riley Herbst but ended up losing the lettering on his left rear tire.
Crew chief Jim Pohlman was forced to bring Allgaier down pit road during the stage break after the car was milked through the last two laps of Stage 2. Thankfully, the tire stayed intact and did not cause any damage to the No. 7.
Justin Allgaier finally made the pass on Cole Custer to put himself in a position for the championship. (Photo: Ricky Martinez | The Podium Finish)
The hardship was not over yet though. On the restart for Stage 3, Allgaier cut to the bottom of the racetrack before the start/finish line, resulting in a violation from NASCAR Race Control. He served his pass-through penalty under the green flag and punched it as soon as he passed the pit scoring line.
However, another violation was handed down for speeding on pit road, making Allgaier come down pit road yet again.
Mired back in 35th place and one lap down, it looked like Allgaier’s night was effectively over. He was eventually able to make up the ½ lap gap between himself and the other cars one lap down, but he would still need a caution to get back on the lead lap.
The team’s prayers were answered with less than 75 laps to go as a caution came out at the perfect moment. Allgaier had made it to the free pass position and was able to get back on the lead lap with his competitors.
After a pit stop with minor adjustments and tires, Allgaier was set to make his comeback. He was on a mission as he pumped out some of the fastest lap times of the night.
Once again, he skipped past a number of cars, making it from 13th to third before a caution brought out overtime. He pitted alongside his championship rivals but suffered another slow stop. This time, it seemed like he could not launch out of his box, spinning tires seemingly forever before he finally made it off pit road.
It was clear that the high line was Allgaier’s happy place. Through two overtime restarts, Allgaier made huge strides on the outside, eventually making his way to the lead. He ended up relinquishing the win to Herbst, but finished second ahead of Custer, Austin Hill and Allmendinger.
Justin Allgaier celebrating his first Xfinity Series title after seven Championship 4 appearances. (Photo: Ricky Martinez | The Podium Finish)
The emotions were obvious as Allgaier tearfully celebrated with his team and family.
“I have no voice left because I was yelling,” he said post-race. “I’ve been doing this a long time and these people that are standing around me…I can’t. There’s no words.
“This team never gave up. Jim Pohlman, his leadership skills are second to none and he told me all weekend that we were gonna have a chance. We tried to give it away every which way we could. I was as fast as Xfinity internet, but on pit road, not on the racetrack where I needed to be.”
For the most successful driver in the series with 25 career wins, two this year alone, the 2024 season was a rollercoaster. From success to despair, Allgaier felt it all over the past nine months.
“Seven times in the Championship 4 and we finally got it done. We are forever a NASCAR champion and there’s no words like that one.”
