The No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet will have a different driver behind the wheel for practice and qualifying at this week’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
The good news is, there’s plenty of familiarity with the fill-in.
Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevy in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, will substitute for Kyle Larson, who will be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway testing and qualifying for the upcoming Indianapolis 500. Larson is taking a second crack at running the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day as part of his #H1100 efforts. In addition to serving as the practice and qualifying driver for the No. 5 team, Allgaier will also be on standby as the reserve driver for the All-Star Race and next week’s Coca-Cola 600.
Weather affected Larson’s first attempt at the #H1100 a year ago and it was Allgaier who started the Coca-Cola 600 in the No. 5 while Larson made his way back to Charlotte from Indianapolis. That prior familiarity makes this week’s adjustment a little easier for the team and the driver.
“We’re fortunate to have Justin and we appreciate him stepping in to help,” said Cliff Daniels, crew chief for the No. 5 team. “He and Kyle are very similar in size, so there’s a lot in the cockpit that’s common between the two.”
Allgaier also serves as a driver for Chevrolet in the wheel-force program, used to gather data during test sessions.
“I think that serves him well and it serves us well,” Daniels continued. “He’s had some time in the simulator driving the track and he did the wheel-force test there a year ago, so he’s got some experience in the Cup car at North Wilkesboro. We’re looking to put in a solid practice and make sure the car drives good.”
Practice for Sunday’s main event is set for Friday evening at 5:05 p.m. Qualifying for the All-Star Heat races will be held two hours later at 7:05.
— Hendrick Motorsports —