Allgaier Involved in Late-Race Incident, Finishes 15th at Talladega
April 26, 2010
.jpg)
TALLADEGA, Ala (April 25, 2010) – Justin Allgaier, driver of the Penske Racing No. 12 Verizon Dodge in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, was just one lap away from what appeared to be a top-10 finish, when a multi-car incident on the final turn of the last lap proved unavoidable for the 23-year-old driver, leaving him with a 15th-place finish.
Despite the less-than-desired result, Allgaier remains fourth in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver point standings. Eight races into the 2010 season, Allgaier trails point leader and Penske Racing teammate Brad Keselowski by 153 markers.
Allgaier recorded the third and fifth-fastest times, respectively, in Thursday’s dual Nationwide Series practice sessions. The Riverton, Ill. native ran a lap of 52.058 seconds at an average speed of 183.949 mph to place him 19th on the starting grid for the annual 117-lap affair.
For the second consecutive week, inclement weather forced the cancelation of Saturday’s scheduled events, postponing the event until Sunday afternoon.
From the drop of the green flag on Sunday, Allgaier raced between 19th and second, his position changing every lap as a result of the multi-car draft that keeps the field bunched closely together. As the laps clicked off, it appeared Allgaier would have a car capable of a top-10 finish.
The 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year played it safe, running with the series veterans to minimize his chance of being caught up in an incident. However, as the laps began to wind down and patience began to give way, Allgaier could not avoid a multi-car incident that unfolded at the front of the field a mere quarter-mile from the finish line. The No. 92 car of Dennis Setzer came up the racetrack, into the path of Allgaier’s oncoming Verizon Dodge, severely damaging both machines. Despite being able to re-fire the engine, the crippled car would not roll, leaving Allgaier with his first did not finish result of the 2010 season.
Allgaier’s Penske Racing teammate Brad Keselowski was able to survive the carnage to score his first Nationwide Series win of the 2010 season, and the first for the No. 22 team.
“The Verizon team gave me a great Dodge Charger today,” said Allgaier. “Our Penske guys build great race cars back at the shop. We felt that we had a car that could get us a top-five finish. I felt that we were on pace to do that before we got collected in that last-lap wreck. This was the last race for these style cars and everybody was trying to go for the win. I thought that I had missed that wreck, whoever was behind us just didn’t get checked up enough and turned us and spun us down on the apron. We’ll head to Richmond with our head held high and go for a win next weekend.”
Next weekend, the NASCAR Nationwide Series heads to Richmond International Raceway for the Bubba Burgers 250. The race will be televised live on ESPN2 Friday, April 30 beginning at 7 p.m. EDT. The Motor Racing Network and Sirius/XM Satellite Radio will also provide live lap-by-lap coverage.