Dover II Race Preview

AJ ALLMENDINGER
No. 43 Best Buy Ford Fusion
• Allmendinger has made nine starts at Dover (Del.) International Speedway
• Allmendinger enters the race in 15th place in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver point standings
• Allmendinger’s best finish at the Monster Mile (seventh) came in 2009

AJ Allmendinger on Dover: “Dover is my favorite track. I love The Monster Mile. It’s a really fast track and I run good there, so I’m looking forward to going. My Best Buy team and I are due for a good run, especially after the past two weeks. We need to get our momentum back and I think Dover is the place to do it. We had a fast car there in the spring before we got knocked out of the race with an engine issue. I think this weekend is going to be the weekend for Greg (Erwin) and I to get back on track.”

Crew Chief Greg Erwin’s Thoughts on Dover: “Personally, Dover is one of my favorite race tracks. I’ve had a lot of good finishes and success there over the years as a crew chief. Both of the RPM teams had good cars there in the spring, probably amongst the top five fastest cars in the field. AJ ran very well there last year as well. He’s done a good job of adapting to the newer tire Goodyear has run at Dover the last three races. The new tire compound lays rubber down on the track a lot different than it used to.

“This weekend will give us an opportunity to rebound after a tough weekend in Loudon. AJ typically qualifies well at Dover and we are taking a car that has run well for us earlier this year at Indy and Atlanta. Hopefully we can get AJ his first win in the Sprint Cup Series this weekend. That’s really what our goal is from here on out. We really want to get the No. 43 Best Buy Ford a ‘W’ before the season is over.”

Chassis History: The No. 43 RPM team has prepared chassis No.752 for this weekend’s event at Dover International Speedway. This Best Buy Ford has been run previously this season at Texas, Charlotte, Indianapolis and Atlanta.

Notes: Allmendinger has nine NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Dover International Speedway. Allmendinger has started on the outside pole at The Monster Mile twice, including this year’s spring race. During last year’s fall event, Allmendinger led 143 of the 400 laps run and brought home a Top-10 finish. Allmendinger enters Dover in 15th position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver point standings.

Richard Petty and Allmendinger will participate in the Dover Air Force Base Social on Friday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The event will offer live music, free food and entertainment for the Air Force base community. In addition, “The King” and AJ will be signing autographs for the troops and their families.

The sixth of 12 Best Buy “Re-Tailgate” events will occur Sunday. A combination of 100 premiere Best Buy customers and Best Buy employees will be invited to a private shopping/tailgating event. The guests will get the opportunity to meet Allmendinger, and attendees will be given a pit tour before enjoying the race from their grandstand seats.

The Fourth Annual Best Buy Private Shopping Event for NASCAR teams and members will take place Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at the Best Buy store in Dover, Del. (1165 N. DuPont Hwy., Dover, Del., 19901) Prizes will be given away throughout the evening and numerous special offers will also be available. The store will be closed to the general public. Just show your hard card or bring a special invitation for access to the store.

Credit - Richard Petty Motorsports PR