ROCKINGHAM, N.C. — Unfazed by the latest social media debate as to the Corridor-of-Fame-worthiness of his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Elements Sequence profession, Justin Allgaier simply retains on profitable.
On Saturday at Rockingham Speedway, the driving force of the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet will attempt for his third straight checkered flag — and fourth this season — within the North Carolina Schooling Lottery 250 Introduced by Black’s Tire.
It’s no exaggeration to say Allgaier has dominated the sequence this yr. He’s the one driver to have scored factors in each stage of each race, and the 105 stage factors he has gathered are essentially the most a driver has ever scored by way of the primary seven races of a season.
Allgaier has gained at the least one race for 10 straight years, a sequence report. Final Saturday’s victory at Martinsville Speedway was the thirty first of his profession, tying him for sixth all-time with “Iron Man” Jack Ingram—a NASCAR Corridor of Famer, by the best way.
On the power of his three wins, Allgaier tops the sequence standings by a gargantuan 92 factors over second-place Jesse Love, the defending O’Reilly Auto Elements Sequence champion.
The 39-year-old driver nicknamed “Little Gator” has loved his quickest begin to a season regardless of shedding crew chief Jim Pohlman to Kyle Busch’s NASCAR Cup Sequence automobile at Richard Childress Racing. Pohlman led Allgaier to 9 victories and the 2024 sequence championship in three years on the pit field.
New crew chief Andrew Overstreet deserves full credit score for filling the void. The seamless nature of the transition has stunned workforce co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr.
“We modified loads of of us, and all our groups bought higher,” Earnhardt mentioned at Martinsville, after Allgaier gained the fifth straight race for the JR Motorsports group. “I wasn’t even positive that that was even potential and achievable…
“I consider in Overstreet, as a result of I put him in that place, however, shoot, I don’t assume anyone would have guessed they might have gained these races and run in addition to they’re. I’m completely happy for Justin. He deserves it.
“When Jim was leaving, we have been anxious about Justin’s capability to be on the market and us having the ability to give him the automobiles that we all know he deserves.”
Test that field.
If Allgaier involves “The Rock” on a wave of success, Love arrives searching for redemption. The motive force of the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing gained final yr’s Rockingham occasion, solely to have his automobile disqualified for a rear suspension infraction—failure to keep up full contact between all mating surfaces of the truck trailing arm and the U-bolt saddle.
JR Motorsports’ Sammy Smith was the beneficiary of Love’s disqualification, selecting up his third profession victory within the sequence. Smith completed third final Saturday at Martinsville behind Allgaier and rookie Corey Day.
Ryan Sieg led a race-high 77 laps final yr within the O’Reilly Auto Elements Sequence’ return to Rockingham after a 21-year hiatus. Sieg completed 18th within the No. 39 Ford. This yr, he’s driving a Chevrolet.
The race can be noteworthy because the sequence debut of social media influencer Cleetus McFarland, who turned roughly 250 laps in a check at Rockingham and has spent appreciable time within the simulator getting ready for the occasion.
“What I’m wanting ahead to essentially the most is getting previous the primary 10 laps, getting snug and leaning on assist from the (Richard Childress Racing) guys,” McFarland mentioned. “Clearly, there’s loads of stress coming into the O’Reilly Auto Elements Sequence for the primary time. I’ve been given a lot information, so I’m excited to use that, see the place my enhancements stand and the way aggressive I’m.
“I had loads of enjoyable driving the automobile through the check, and I hope to make the Tommy’s Categorical Automotive Wash workforce completely happy by doing job, staying out of the best way and revel in racing.”
