Phoenix II Race Recap

AJ ALLMENDINGER
No. 43 Insignia HDTV Ford Fusion
■ AJ Allmendinger began the race at Phoenix International Raceway from the front row
■ The No. 43 Insignia HDTV Ford Fusion took the checkered flag in the 18th position
■ Allmendinger remains in the 20th position in the points battle with one race remaining on the schedule

Race Summary: AJ Allmendinger narrowly missed scoring his second career pole at Phoenix International Raceway but settled into the second position for the start of Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event. Allmendinger’s green No. 43 Insignia HDTV Ford Fusion was fast at the start of the 312-lap event and despite front end handling issues the driver remained in the top 10 for the majority of the first 100 laps.

Through a series of green and yellow flag condition pit stops, Crew Chief Mike Shiplett called for various adjustments to help alleviate the handling issues Allmendinger reported. The California native kept his Richard Petty Motorsports machine in the top 15 with under 100 laps to go.

Shiplett rolled the dice and called for a right side tire only pit stop towards the end of the event. Allmendinger and the No. 43 lost a little ground following the stop and slid back slightly in the pack. The driver held on and fought to regain a top-15 position, but when the checkered flag flew, the No. 43 Insignia HDTV Ford Fusion was running in the 18th position.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway next week for the season finale. Allmendinger holds down the 20th position in the NSCS point standings and is within striking distance of 19th place.

Credit - Richard Petty Motorsports PR