Latest news with #AJAllmendinger
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
AJ Allmendinger shares opinion about new NASCAR San Diego street race
DAYTONA BEACH — AJ Allmendinger admires this about NASCAR over the last few years. 'I'm all for trying new things,' the driver of the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet said. 'Dirt race at Bristol, whether you liked or hated it, it was new. Street racing, going to different places. I think it's cool.' This week, NASCAR formally announced its newest novelty. Next season, it will run a street race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. The weekend, which is scheduled for June 19-21, will include Cup, Xfinity and Truck events. It serves as the spiritual successor to the Chicago Street Race of the last three seasons, becoming just the second street course in the modern era. It also will be the first time NASCAR has put on a show from an active military base. 'I think it's a win for everybody,' Allmendinger told The News-Journal during a fundraising visit to Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday. San Diego street race will put NASCAR back in SoCal The event will insert NASCAR back into the Southern California market, something it lost with the shuttering of Auto Club Speedway in Fontana in 2023. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum filled the gap for one year in 2024. But that was the last of its three years hosting the preseason Clash. The exhibition relocated to Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for the 2025 season. 'That Southern California market we miss, for sure,' Allmendinger said. 'We still had it a little bit with the Coliseum, but now that is gone. And San Diego itself is just such a pretty area. So it'll be fun to see how they set up the race track.' Allmendinger added that's the biggest potential con to street racing — the track layout. He harbored initial doubts about Chicago. When that race arrived in 2023, he looked at the course and thought it would eliminate passing opportunities. It was too narrow. He quickly realized that wasn't the case, though. 'I think we had some of the best passing opportunities, and it showed that over the three years of racing,' he said. AJ Allmendinger thought NASCAR's Chicago Street Race was successful Allmendinger liked the Chicago experience. He participated in all three iterations and posted his best finish (sixth) earlier this month. 'I thought Chicago, for the most part, was very successful over the three years,' he said. 'It was nice, for the most part, to have good weather this year because I felt like, the first two years, that's what hurt the Cup race. But this year, it seemed more crowded than it had been. It just kept growing. 'I think that's what's great about street racing in general. You kind of bring a new public to it. Back when I raced Champ Car, that's what we always said — 30% of the fans knew what was going on and 70% of them usually drove down those streets at 30 miles per hour and they kind of rolled out there like, 'What's going on now?'' Despite putting the event on pause, NASCAR might return to Chicago in the future. The door remains open for 2027. Allmendinger wouldn't mind that. 'It'd have been fun to keep it,' he said. 'I think it was doing a really good job. But I also think sometimes, with street races, you've got to go try new markets and it kind of runs its course. But I'm not opposed to going back there.' Does the NASCAR schedule have too many road courses? Because 2026 won't feature a Chicago Street Race, with San Diego essentially replacing it, the number of road courses on the schedule could stay at six. The full slate is expected to be released in the next few weeks. Road courses have been a point of contention recently. Brad Keselowski criticized the amount of them on social media. Denny Hamlin stated his desire for fewer on his Actions Detrimental podcast. Both drivers publicized their feelings in mid-July, right as Shane van Gisbergen was ripping off his third road-course victory in five weeks and rumors about a San Diego addition swirled. Then, Michael McDowell defended NASCAR and opposed Keselowski's comments during an appearance on the Door Bumper Clear podcast. Where does Allmendinger fall? 'I think six is about as max as we need,' he said. 'Anywhere from four-to-six, I'm good with. 'But you can say we have six superspeedway races, right? I don't want any more of those, either. You don't want too much of one thing, so I think that's a good number. We don't need more of it. But I would hate to go back to just two or three of them as well.' Especially with the San Diego news, a massive decrease doesn't look likely anytime soon. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger supports San Diego street race
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Radioactive: The 'Monster Mile' claims early victims
Listen in to this preview from Radioactive as Shane van Gisbergen, AJ Allmendinger have early issues at Dover Motor Speedway.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
VOTE: Where should NASCAR host next street race after Chicago?
It certainly made for a unique spectacle. NASCAR Next Gen cars motoring down DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue in the heart of downtown Chicago. Skyscrapers looming over the track, with painted turn lanes still on the roads and sidewalks just beyond the barriers. Advertisement The third Chicago Street Race took place last weekend. It could be the last, though NASCAR and the Windy City could agree to extend the initial three-year contract, which ended with the 2025 event, for another year or two. Or, it could head elsewhere. The Athletic reported last month that NASCAR and San Diego had discussed the west coast city hosting a street race. Would you like to see that? How about one in New York City with the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty visible or Seattle with the Space Needle in the background? Philadelphia? Denver? International spots like Toronto, Montreal, São Paulo or London? Jul 6, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver AJ Allmendinger (16) drives during the Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Race. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images Heck, maybe you'd want to see NASCAR really emphasize its roots with a street race in Daytona Beach. Advertisement Let's vote. The poll will remain open until 9 a.m. July 13. The ballot allows for multiple selections. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR street race city: Which should be next after Chicago? Vote
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR's Chicago Street Race Red Flagged Early After Eight-Car Pileup
NASCAR's third trip to Chicago Street Race finally starts with some good weather, but a mistake by Carson Hoecevar red-flagged the race early when he crashed on lap four, in turn 10, and created a log jam in the tightest portion of the street course. Austin Dillon, Brad Keselowski, AJ Allmendinger, Daniel Suarez, Todd Gilland, Riley Herbst, and Supercars Will Brown were all collected. With nowhere to go and a bunch of cars to pull off the track, NASCAR had to throw the red flag, halting the race for 30 minutes. Ryan Ellis, who finished 25th in Yesterday's Xfinity Series race at the circuit, shared on X that turn 10 and the following straight are the worst for radio service. 'Radios were VERY spotty yesterday," Ellis wrote. "The ones I chatted with post race had a ton of dead spots around the track, with this being one of them." Dillon was one of those collected in the crash that saw their race end. While still waiting on his tow, he radioed his displeasure towards Hoecevar for causing the wreck. "Carson Hocevar is the biggest dumbass in the entire sport," Dillon radioed. He wiped out into 10 and just wiped out half the field." Hocevar was also unable to return to the track, and adding insult to injury, his car was dropped from the towing strap on the drag to the work area. Keselowski and Brown were the only other drivers involved who could not continue. The race resumed with 14 laps remaining in the first stage with Micheal Mcdoweel leading over Shane van Gisbergen after taking the lead at the start of the race. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
NASCAR: Allmendinger Eyes Chicago With Road Course Grit And Dad Perspective
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 02: AJ Allmendinger (#16 Kaulig Racing Celsius Chevrolet) acknowledges fans ... More during driver introductionsbefore the NASCAR Cup Series Echo Park Automotive Grand Prix on March 2, 2025, at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) There are drivers who show up to a NASCAR race quietly optimistic. And then there's A.J. Allmendinger — the guy who shows up at the track looking like he's ready to win or fight someone trying to stop him. Or possibly both. Heading into this weekend's Grant Park 165 on the streets of Chicago, Allmendinger brings with him all the usual ingredients: a scrappy underdog mentality, a resume packed with road course success, and the kind of raw honesty that makes every interview feel like a confessional. Add to that a new layer of perspective thanks to fatherhood — and yes, a steady supply of CELSIUS energy drinks — and you've got one of the most intriguing storylines in the Cup Series garage. A Season Of Progress — And Realism 'I think it's a glass half full,' Allmendinger says, reflecting on his season so far with Kaulig Racing. 'At the end of the day, you've got to have realistic expectations. We show up every week trying to win and make the playoffs and win the championship — that's the pinnacle. AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 01: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Celsius Chevrolet, drives during ... More practice for the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 01, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by) 'But we also have an understanding of where we're at right now as an organization, where the team was at, at this point last year and the gains that we've made.' It hasn't all been smooth sailing. Two blown motors, a couple of disappointing road course races — rare for a driver with his pedigree — and the usual grind of life in NASCAR's top series have tested the team. But the bigger picture? There's progress. 'We've made a lot of gains from where we were last year,' he adds. 'There's light at the end of the tunnel… and for once it doesn't feel like it's a train coming back at you.' As fierce as Allmendinger remains behind the wheel, life at home has added some welcome chaos — and maybe, just maybe, a little perspective; chaos thanks in part to his son Aero, who will be two in September. AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 09: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Celsius Chevrolet, spends time ... More with his wife, Tara Allmendinger and son, Aero Allmendinger on the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on November 09, 2024 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by) 'If you listen to my radio, I'm still as fiery as ever,' he laughs. 'But I feel like I'm still getting better. That fire of proving it to myself every weekend is what keeps pushing me.' The biggest change? What happens after a tough day at the office. 'My wife, Tara, is amazing — she's basically taking care of two kids, me included,' Allmendinger jokes. 'But you get home after a bad day, frustrated, sad, all of it… and Aero doesn't care. He just wants to play and jump on you. That part of it makes the bad weekends a little easier.' Given his three career Cup wins have all come on road courses, you'd expect Allmendinger to circle Chicago's street race as a golden opportunity. But the 12-turn concrete jungle that snakes through Grant Park has been anything but predictable. 'The street course definitely changes my confidence level — Chicago hasn't helped it at all,' he admits. 'The first year, we completely missed it — the car bounced around like crazy. Last year, we were just lost in practice and qualifying, but with the weather, we drove through the field and had a shot.' This year? Still a question mark. 'It's a tricky track — rough, technical, you've got to balance mechanical grip and aero grip perfectly. I've done all the studying I can. Now we'll see if I can be better when we unload.' For all the road course glory, that first Cup oval win remains on Allmendinger's to-do list — a challenge he embraces, even if it comes with the usual NASCAR frustrations. 'It's hard,' he says bluntly. 'You've got to have a good car — doesn't matter if it's an oval or road course, but on ovals, it's even more critical to hit everything right.' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 07: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #13 Benesch Chevrolet, drives after an ... More on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Course on July 07, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by) Tracks like Dover or Las Vegas give him hope. Short tracks? A surprising struggle. 'It's weird because I've always loved short tracks,' he says. 'But with this car, we've struggled there. If we knew why, we'd fix it already.' For now, it's about maximizing every opportunity, one weekend at a time. 'There are ovals you circle on the calendar and say, 'We can win here.' Others? You run top 15 that's a that's almost a win.' In a sport where sponsor logos change as often as tires, having a partner like CELSIUS stick with him through the ups and downs is more than just a marketing win — it's personal. 'When I first joined Kaulig Racing, there was a little fridge in the corner with CELSIUS in it,' Allmendinger recalls. 'Honestly, I'd never even seen the stuff before.' Fast forward seven years, and both the driver and the brand have grown together — with plenty of Victory Lane celebrations (and CELSIUS can tosses) along the way. 'It's a product I actually use daily — training, hydration, energy, golf, you name it,' he says. 'That's what I love about it. With some sponsors, it's a logo. With CELSIUS, it's part of my life.' A.J. Allmendinger may not fit the mold of the typical NASCAR Cup Series contender — and he's just fine with that. Whether it's battling the unforgiving streets of Chicago, chasing that first elusive oval win, or navigating the joys (and sleep deprivation) of fatherhood, one thing remains constant: The fire's still there. The CELSIUS fridge is still stocked. And if the cards fall right, don't be surprised if Allmendinger is the one spiking another energy drink in Victory Lane.
