One driver needing to kick start a run in the points over the last seven races of the season is Justin Allgaier, currently fifth, 75 points behind the standings leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr. The 25-year-old, Riverton, Ill., native heads to his home track, Chicagoland Speedway, looking for the sweep.
“Anytime you go to your home race track it raises your spirits and gives you extra incentive to go out and run well,” Allgaier said.
Since winning the inaugural summer race at Chicago in June, Allgaier’s season has taken a downward turn. He’s had two did not finish (DNF) results since June, including a dry fuel cell while leading on the final lap of a green-white-checkered finish at Road America that cost him a certain victory. Then two weeks ago at Atlanta, Allgaier inadvertently bumped into Turner Motorsports teammate Reed Sorenson and turned him into the wall, putting a strain on both teammates’ championship hopes.
But despite Allgaier’s inconsistent finishes over the last 13 races, his average finish is 13.5. He’s had three top-10 finishes in his last four races, including a ninth at Richmond. In three career series starts at Chicago, he has two top-10 finishes in addition to the June win.
At Chicagoland Speedway Allgaier out-ranks all series championship contenders in pre-race Driver Rating with a 102.8. By comparison, points leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has a 98.1. Allgaier also leads all championship contenders in Average Running Position (8.108) at Chicago.
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