Justin Allgaier Darlington Raceway Preview

May 5, 2009


No. 12 Penske Racing Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger News and Notes
• This Week’s Charger…
The No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge team and driver Justin Allgaier will race chassis PRS-008 during Friday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event in Darlington, South Carolina. PRS-008 last saw action in the second race of the 2008 campaign at Auto Club Speedway, where Allgaier crossed the finish line in the 14th position.
• Rookie Watch… Allgaier is currently second in the Nationwide Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings, just two points behind leader Michael McDowell.
• Keeping Up… Allagaier’s parents, Dorothy and Mike Allgaier, travel the NASCAR circuit in a motorhome watching their only son race at each track. The Allgaiers have not seen their Riverton, Ill. home since the second week in March. Mike Allgaier is a Hoosier Tire distributor   and also owns an ARCA RE/MAX Series team driven by Rob Brent.
• Stop By… Allgaier will visit the Verizon Wireless store in Florence, South Carolina on Thursday, May 7 from 6-7 p.m. ET. The Illinois native will meet with store employees and sign autographs for fans. The Verizon Wireless store is located at 2411 David H. McLeod Blvd. in Florence, South Carolina, 29501.
• Autographs Anyone?... Allgaier will appear at the Penske Racing souvenir trailer on Friday, May 8th from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET. The trailer is located behind the front straightaway at Darlington Raceway.
• First Time… This weekend will mark the first time that Allgaier, the rookie sensation, will visit the famed Darlington Raceway. The 22-year-old driver has prepared for this Friday night’s event by watching race tapes from the 2007 and 2008 events.
• Watch and Listen… The Diamond Hill Plywood 200 will be broadcast live on Friday, May 8 on ESPN 2, with coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The event can also be heard live on MRN Radio as well as Sirius Satellite Radio, channel 128.

Justin Allgaier on driving at Darlington Raceway
“The last couple of weeks our finishes have not been indicative of our runs. We have had great race cars and just have had bad luck. I am confident we will get back on track this weekend in Darlington. I am really looking forward to the challenge that Darlington brings. However, I am going to have to dig deep to really focus on the track and not my competitors. Qualifying will be important for the Verizon Wireless Dodge team. It is a short race and we have to focus on track position all night. Darlington has a rich history. As far as the teams and drivers are concerned, it is one of the greatest race tracks ever built. With the nickname ‘the granddaddy of them all,’ obviously it has a significant place in NASCAR.”

Crew Chief Chad Walter on racing at Darlington Raceway
“Darlington is a place where the driver has to race the race track. I am sure Justin will get his Darlington stripe. It is a rite of passage for all drivers. I think Darlington is the most fun Justin will have all year, if he stays calm all night and keeps up with the track. You carry a lot of speed into turn 1 and have to really be on the brakes in turn 3. It is a racer’s race track. Track position is key. It is a short race, so being up front is paramount. The key to success is being patient. Justin has impressed us every time he goes out on the track and I am sure we will see more of the same on Friday night.”

Justin Allgaier Nationwide Series Career Totals
Races      Wins     Top-Fives      Top-10s      Poles      Money Won
   13             0                1                      4                0            $352,697


Justin Allgaier 2009 Totals
Races      Wins      Top-Fives      Top-10s      Poles      Money Won
     9              0                1                      4                 0            $278,827