A. J. Allmendinger

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A. J. Allmendinger bigraphy, stories - American racing driver

A. J. Allmendinger : biography

16 December 1981 –

Anthony James "AJ" Allmendinger (born December 16, 1981) is an American open-wheel and stock car racing driver. He is best known for his accomplishments in the Champ Car World Series. He currently competes part-time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Phoenix Racing and for Penske Racing in IndyCar.

2013

It was reported in late 2012 that Allmendinger could move to the IndyCar Series with Michael Shank Racing, which he co-owned, for the 2013 season. http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-shank-searching-for-sponsorship-to-run-allmendinger/ This failed to materialize; instead, Allmendinger signed with Phoenix Racing to run a limited schedule in the Sprint Cup Series in the No. 51 Chevrolet; in addition, he participated in IndyCar’s winter testing with Team Penske, and in March it was announced that Allmendinger would compete in the IndyCar series for the team in at least two races, at Barber Motorsports Park and at the 2013 Indianapolis 500. This has been extended to include the Long Beach Grand Prix and the Chevy Indy Dual in Detroit.

Rolex 24

On January 28 and 29, 2012, Allmendinger entered the Rolex 24 and drove for Michael Shank Racing and drove the final segment of the 24 hour race to the victory for the team in the Daytona Prototype division. His teammates were Justin Wilson, John Pew, and Oswaldo Negri. To do so, he had to fend off sports car racing veteran Allan McNish among others.

NASCAR Nationwide Series

On June 1, 2013, Roger Penske announced that Allmendinger would drive for his team at Road America and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. In his first race of the season, the Johnsonville Sausage 200 on June 22, he won after winning the pole position and leading 29 laps, which was the most of any driver.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Allmendinger also drove part-time for Phoenix Racing in the #51 Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup Series. He had several strong finishes in the first part of the season – 11th at Phoenix, 13th at Bristol, 16th at Fontana, and 14th at Richmond. His first finish worse than 20th was at Pocono, where he finished 33rd. Afterwards, Allmendinger moved to the #47 Toyota at JTG Daugherty Racing in place of Bobby Labonte for two races, with a 19th place finish at Michigan and 22nd place finish at Kentucky. At Daytona, Allmendinger returned to the #51 and was running near the top ten for almost the entire night until lap 148, when he was part of a wreck in the tri-oval with Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, and David Reutimann, reducing Allmendinger to a 35th place finish.

Motorsports career results

American open–wheel racing results

(key)

Atlantic championship

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Rank Points
2003 RuSPORT MTY LBH MIL LS POR CLE TOR TRR MDO MTL DEN MIA 1st 201

Champ Car World Series

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Rank Points
2004 RuSPORT LBH MTY MIL POR CLE TOR VAN ROA DEN MTL LS LVG SRF MXC 6th 229
2005 RuSPORT LBH MTY MIL POR CLE TOR EDM SJO DEN MTL LVG SRF MXC 5th 227
2006 RuSPORT LBH HOU MTY MIL 3rd 285
ForsytheChampionship Racing POR CLE TOR EDM SJO DEN MTL ROA SRF MEX}}MXC