Typically, Justin Allgaier is a skilled road racer, but the driver of the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet doubtless would gladly forget the last two events on circuits that turn right as well as left.
On June 20, Allgaier fell out of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Naval Base Coronado in 32nd place because of an engine failure. Last Saturday at Sonoma Raceway, he finished 26th.
The good news is that, despite the disappointing results on the road and street circuits, Allgaier retained the lion’s share of his series lead. He holds a 207-point advantage over second-place and defending series champion Jesse Love entering Saturday’s Cuervo 300 at Chicagoland Speedway (5:30 p.m. ET on CW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
Allgaier also has an enviable edge entering the 10th race on the O’Reilly Series schedule. Not only did he represent Chevrolet in the Goodyear tire test at Chicagoland in April, but he also conducted the subsequent wheel-force test at the speedway, which will host its first O’Reilly Series race since 2019.
Allgaier has two victories at Chicagoland. The only other drivers in the field with wins at the track are Cup Series interlopers Chase Elliott and Cole Custer (one each). Custer won the last race held at Chicagoland seven years ago.
“I’m so happy to be going back to Chicagoland,” said Allgaier, a native of Riverton, Illinois. “This has always been one of my favorite tracks, and it’s great to see it back on the schedule. Hopefully our notes from the past can help us get a good baseline for this weekend, but I know that (crew chief) Andrew (Overstreet) and all the guys on this No. 7 group will be ready to go when we unload.
“It’s always great getting the chance to race back in the home state, not only for me but for everyone at (sponsor) BRANDT Professional Agriculture as well. We just need to go out and execute like we have throughout this season, and if we do, I think we can have an awesome homecoming on Saturday night and celebrate the 4th of July in style.”
There are currently five races left in the O’Reilly Series regular season, and the battle for 12 Chase spots is intensifying. Currently, Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Taylor Gray and William Sawalich straddle the cut line, with 12th-place Gray holding a 20-point edge.
— NASCAR Wire Service —