Penske Racing never really considered A.J. Allmendinger.
The NASCAR race team had other drivers in mind to replace Kurt Busch in its No. 22 car. That is, until a few days ago when Allmendinger split from his Richard Petty Motorsports organization, and the Penske group moved quickly to add a driver it viewed as having a favorable career progression behind him and promising potential ahead.
NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendinger from Los Gatos, CA.
That quick courtship culminated Wednesday, when Allmendinger was named the new driver of the Shell/Pennzoil Dodge, replacing Busch, who left the Penske team by mutual agreement on Dec. 5. It’s a huge step up for a driver who enjoyed his best Sprint Cup campaign in this past season’s 15th-place points finish, but has never won a race at NASCAR’s top level, and will now compete for an elite organization that measures success in race victories and championship bids. Read More
AJ Allmendinger Puts the Best Buy Ford on Front Row at Watkins Glen
13 August 2011 (Watkins Glen, NY)– AJ Allmendinger posted a fast lap time of 69.997 seconds (126.041 mph) with the No. 43 Best Buy Ford Fusion around the 2.45-mile Watkins Glen circuit to score a front row start for the 26th annual Helluva Good Dips at the Glen on Saturday. A.J. Allmendinger from Los Gatos, CA driver of the No. 43 Best Buy Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports.
The spot is his fourth front row start of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup season as he looks to move up from 17th in the championship standings as the Chase deadline of Richmond continues to loom ever closer.
Allmendinger finished the 2010 Watkins Glen race fourth after starting in fourth and the California native will look to convert his front row start into something even better on Sunday.
“I’m proud of the Best Buy Ford and everyone at Richard Petty Motorsports,” said Allmendinger as he was greeted by a throng of journalists. “I’m not going to lie, it’s great to get in front of Marcos (Ambrose) today. He’s the man here. So to put up a lap a little better than him is pretty cool. I still think he’s going to be the guy to beat tomorrow. This is a great starting spot and a great day. We just keep building momentum and hopefully we can get a win. The big thing is to just keep getting better and have a strong finish to the season and build off that.”
The race is the third for Allmendinger with new Crew Chief Greg Erwin.
“The results haven’t showed it, but we’ve been getting better and better,” said AJ. “It’s great to have him making the calls on what kind of changes we need-big or small, just trying to figure out what we need with the cars. He’s got so much experience. We’ve had solid weekends at Indy, Pocono, and ever since we’ve unloaded here at the Glen. Marcos is the guy to beat but I think we might have something for everyone else.”
About Walldinger Racing, Inc.: Walldinger Racing was formed in 2006 to support AJ Allmendinger’s motorsports career by developing commercial opportunities and partnership programs.
A.J. Allmendinger from Los Gatos, CA, driver of the famous No. 43 car.
There are a lot of racing fans with blogs and websites on the internet, but there are none more talented and organized than the women of Skirts & Skuffs. They are a group of at least 22 women who follow racing and share their opinions and experiences with their readers. Skirts & Skuffs was founded in October of 2009 by Katy Lindamood, who is now the site administrator. From their website: “the site is a joint effort between each and everyone of our contributors.” One of their most passionate writers is Associate Editor, Amanda Ebersole, who I follow on Twitter. She had a chance to talk to NorCal driver A.J. Allmendinger on Friday in Loudon, New Hampshire. Here is an excerpt from that interview as well as a link to the complete article:
A.J. Allmendinger: “I just want to win”
Posted by Amanda Ebersole on 7/15/2011 02:05:00 PM
I chatted with A.J. this morning prior to him heading out for morning practice at Loudon, where he ended up fourth fastest, and asked him a few questions to get to know him better.
Amanda Ebersole (AE): You have been racing for such a long time in many different series (kart, Champ car, Truck, Nationwide and now Cup). What is your motivation? A.J. Allmendinger (AJA): For me it is really down to a couple of things. I always want to go out there and try to win, that is always my goal. I am very competitive in everything I do. I love going out there and trying to be at my best and win. It’s fun to take on new challenges and to go out there and be the best at it, be the best that I can possibly be. Those are always the motivating factors, to go out there, wake up every day and keep doing it. I switched series and go out there, got to learn how to do that series and go onto that. Read More
