Pocono II Preview

AJ ALLMENDINGER
No. 43 Insignia Ford Fusion

• AJ Allmendinger has made six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway
• Allmendinger posted his career best finish (10th) on the 2.5-mile tri-oval earlier this season
• The driver is currently 21st the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver point standings

AJ Allmendinger on Pocono Raceway: “We didn’t have the best car in the beginning of the race last time we were there, but Mike Shiplett and the guys worked hard all day. With about 50 laps to go, they got it pretty much right where I needed it and I was happy that we had that kind of adjustability in the car. We finished 10th, but I think we had a car that was capable of a little better than that so we’re looking forward to getting back there and seeing what we can do the second time around.

“We’ve got good car, good people and good engines on this Richard Petty Motorsports Insignia race team. We’ve just got to have a little bit of good luck, start off with a great qualifying effort and then some good strategy and we should be able to have ourselves a pretty decent finish this weekend.”

Crew Chief Mike Shiplett’s Thoughts on Pocono Raceway: “The keys to success at Pocono Raceway are a good qualifying effort and fuel mileage. Track position is so important there that you need to start up front and do everything you can to stay there to even begin to think about a good finish. It’s a tough track. We hit on some things the last time we were there so we’re looking forward to getting back to the track and getting this Insignia Ford up front.”

Chassis History: The No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports team led by crew chief Mike Shiplett has prepared chassis No. 294 for this weekend’s event at Pocono Raceway. The team last utilized this chassis for the event at Michigan International Speedway where Allmendinger finished 11th. It was also run at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway where the team finished 14th.

Notes: Allmendinger has already had a busy week. The Los Gatos, Calif.-native was up bright and early on Tuesday to fly to Lexington, Ky. on behalf of sponsor Valvoline to join the mayor of the city and take part in a press conference regarding Spotlight Lexington and the World Equestrian Games. While there, he visited with folks at Valvoline headquarters.

Following his arrival back in North Carolina, Allmendinger made the drive to Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman to take part in VJGC NASCARnival night with members of the Richard Petty Motorsports Insignia crew.

Richard Petty’s No. 43 won the first Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway in 1974.