Watkins Glen Preview

AJ ALLMENDINGER
No. 43 Insignia HDTV Ford Fusion

• AJ Allmendinger has made two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Watkins Glen International
• Allmendinger has posted top-15 finishes in both events run at the 2.45-mile road course
• The driver is currently 22nd in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver point standings

AJ Allmendinger on Watkins Glen International: “We had a pretty good car in Sonoma and if not for some problems right in the beginning of the race, there’s no telling what we could have done. We came from a long way back to finish in the top 15, so we’re hopeful we’ve got a top five or top-10 run in us this weekend.

“Mike Shiplett and the guys work so hard and we just want to get into victory lane so badly. I like racing at Watkins Glen and have had some success there in the past, so we’re looking for good things from our Insignia HDTV Ford Fusion this weekend. Horsepower is big at this track and I know we’ve got good power under the hood, so we’re in good shape there. The rest of it is in our hands and we’re excited about what we think we can do.”

Crew Chief Mike Shiplett’s Thoughts on Watkins Glen International: “There are a couple of less desirable pit stalls on pit road because there’s a big hill, so you want to try to avoid that by getting in a good qualifying run and having as many options available to you as possible when you pick pits. Strategy at Watkins Glen is just like any other road course. It’s just hoping you pit on the right lap, that cautions fall your way and you get good fuel mileage for the end of the race. It’s not as much of a fuel mileage race as Infineon Raceway is, so fuel mileage isn’t as huge a deal, but it’s still pretty important. You’re more focused on power there because you’ve got some long straight-aways to be able to use a lot of power. The big thing there is getting through what we call turn five—the carousel turn— to get a good run going into the last two of corners. You need to get a good run off the last turn so you get into position going into turn one so you can get into position going up into the esses.”

Chassis History: The No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports team led by crew chief Mike Shiplett has prepared chassis No. 257 for this weekend’s event at Watkins Glen International. The team last utilized this chassis for the event at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., where Allmendinger qualified 15th and drove to a 13th-place finish.

Notes: The Paralyzed Veterans of America’s new initiative Mission: ABLE will be featured on the deck lid of the No. 43 Ford this weekend. The PVA is the nation’s leading veteran organization and its national network provides comprehensive support for veterans. Mission: ABLE focuses on programs to ensure veterans are able to receive the benefits they’ve earned, have access the quality of care they need to live a full life, get job training and opportunities for new careers and are able to enjoy competition and camaraderie though sports.

Credit - Richard Petty Motorsports PR