Watkins Glen Race Recap

AJ ALLMENDINGER
No. 43 Best Buy Ford Fusion
*AJ Allmendinger started from the second position at Watkins Glen International
*Allmendinger wheeled his way to an eighth-place finishing position at the 2.45-mile road course
*Unofficially, Allmendinger sits in 16th place in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver point standings

Race Summary: AJ Allmendinger lined up for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Watkins Glen International from the front row. Starting from second, it wasn’t long before Allmendinger had overtaken the pole sitter and made his way into the top spot.

Allmendinger was still in the lead on Lap nine when he was struck from behind by the lapped car of Kurt Busch, which resulted in a trip through the grass. He was forced to pit the next lap when the engine temperature of the Best Buy Ford skyrocketed. A quick pit stop by the crew to clean off the grill enabled Allmendinger to remain on the lead lap, though he fell to 34th place.

A yellow flag on Lap 28 allowed Crew Chief Greg Erwin to call his driver into the pits once again. Allmendinger had previously relayed to Erwin that the car was good, but needed a little more rear grip, so the Best Buy team went to work to change all four tires and make a track bar adjustment while filling the gas tank with fuel. There were several different pit strategies in play and the No. 43 returned to the track for the restart in 17th place.

Allmendinger had made his way into the top 10 by the time the race reached halfway and was able to remain inside the top 15 for the remainder of the event. A late race accident resulted in a green/white/checkered flag finish and Allmendinger lined up in the 11th position for the final restart of the race at Lap 91. Fighting his way through traffic during the last laps, Allmendinger was able to bring the No. 43 Ford home in eighth place.

“It’s great to see Marcos in Victory Lane and it’s great for the team,” said Allmendinger following the event. “I’m happy for those guys. I’m really proud of my guys and proud of the way we fought back all day. We had great pit stops. The car was fast. I love working with Greg, and I’m happy we got a win for the team.”

Allmendinger picked up one spot in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver point standings and now sits in 16th place heading back to Michigan International Speedway next weekend.

Credit - Richard Petty Motorsports PR