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Verizon Team News and Notes
• This Week’s Verizon Dodge … Justin Allgaier will pilot Penske Racing chassis PRS-032 in Saturday’s TECH-NET Auto Service 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Built new for 2010, this Dodge Charger debuted at Texas Motor Speedway in April, where Allgaier started 18th and finished 11th.
• Allgaier at Charlotte … In three Nationwide Series starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Allgaier has a 12th-place finish, which came in his most recent start at the 1.5-mile oval, to call his best. Additionally, the 23-year-old driver has an average starting position of 18.3, an average finish of 20th and has completed 86.7 percent of the laps contested (494 of 570).
• Where It All Started … Allgaier made his Nationwide Series debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 10, 2008. The 2009 Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year started 14th and finished 34th driving Penske Racing’s No. 12 Dodge. Since then, Allgaier has recorded one pole, one win, six top fives, 17 top 10s and has led 127 laps in 50 races throughout his first three seasons on NASCAR’s junior circuit.
• After 11 Races … Over the season’s first 11 races, Allgaier has accumulated three top-five and five top-10 finishes, an average starting position of 14.6 and an average finish of 10.2. The Riverton, Ill. native has led 38 laps of competition and has completed 99.9 percent of the laps contested (2,120 of 2,121) thus far. Allgaier enters Charlotte fifth in points, 245 markers behind point leader and Penske Racing teammate, Brad Keselowski.
• Best in Class… Allgaier’s fifth-place position in the point standings is best among full-time, Nationwide Series-only drivers. Allgaier leads fellow Nationwide-only driver Jason Leffler, currently ranked ninth, by 317 points.
• Last Time Out … Two weeks ago, Allgaier overcame a 29th-place starting position to contend for a top-10 finish in the late stages of the Heluva Good! 200 at Dover International Speedway. Unfortunately, contact with another competitor on the final lap relegated the 23-year-old driver to a 16th-place finish.
• Penske Racing at Charlotte … In eight previous Nationwide Series starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Penske Racing entries have recorded one win and three top-five finishes. Penske Dodges have been atop the leaderboard for 263 circuits in their time at Charlotte, and have completed 1,308 of 1,572 laps contested.
• Penske Racing in 2010 … With 11 races completed in the 2010 season, Penske Racing’s two NASCAR Nationwide Series entries have recorded two poles, three wins, a combined 11 top-five and 15 top-10 finishes. Penske Dodges have completed 4,241 of 4,242 laps contested with drivers Allgaier and Keselowski, and have led 398 laps.
• Hello Moto … Motorola, an official handset partner of Verizon Wireless, will have branding on Allgaier’s No. 12 Dodge this weekend at Charlotte. In addition to their presence on the car, Motorola will host a number of clients and customers at the speedway.
• Meet the Driver … Fans can meet Allgaier on Thursday, May 27 at the Penske Racing souvenir trailer, located in the midway at Charlotte Motor Speedway from 12 – 12:30 p.m. The following evening, Allgaier will sign autographs for fans at the Verizon Wireless display at the Food Lion Speed Street Festival in Uptown Charlotte, N.C. from 7 – 8 p.m. EDT. For exact location and more information, log onto 600festival.com.
• In-Race Reporter … Allgaier will serve as ESPN’s in-race reporter for Saturday’s live broadcast of the TECH-NET Auto Service 300. Fans will see live in-car camera shots from the Verizon Dodge and listen as he and crew chief Chad Walter give live updates throughout the race.
• Homecoming … Two members of the Verizon team hail from the greater Charlotte area. Engine tuner Dave Ward calls Hertford, N.C. his hometown, and spotter Chris Osborne is from High Point, N.C.

Justin Allgaier on Charlotte Motor Speedway
“Charlotte is a great track in terms of the 1.5-mile speedways. The front straightaway, I swear it’s flat. As you drive into Turn 1, you’re looking at this massive asphalt wall. Your brain tells you to lift, but your right foot stays in the throttle. The track has a lot of speed. It’s also got some character in terms of bumpiness. It’s a fun place to race, especially in front of so many Penske Racing employees and their families.”

Crew chief Chad Walter on Charlotte Motor Speedway
“Charlotte Motor Speedway is a great 1.5-mile track. Handling and track position are the keys to success. The Nationwide cars are extremely aero-sensitive, but we saw that same importance in the All-Star race this past weekend. The car out front definitely has the advantage and can pull away from the field. We’ll have to have our Verizon Dodge able to rotate through the corners on both ends of the track in order for us to have a shot to win.”