AJ Allmendinger might not have had the best of seasons in 2023 but he certainly won the hearts of NASCAR fans on Sunday. The veteran racer won his first Cup Series race since 2021 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and shared an emotional moment with the fans. Allmendinger has been a Cup driver for well over a decade and has earned the respect of the fans in that time. Now in the twilight years of his career, this victory clearly meant the world to him and his fans.

The 41-year-old held off several playoff drivers like William Byron, Kyle Busch, and Tyler Reddick to take the victory. It was a big moment for his team, Kaulig Racing as well. The team took their first NASCAR Cup series victory of the 2023 season at Charlotte. Their last Cup Series win came at Indianapolis in 2021 and it was AJ Allmendinger behind the wheel on that occasion as well.

AJ Allmendinger cuts an emotional figure after Charlotte victory

After the victory, AJ Allmendinger was over the moon. He ran over to celebrate with the fans after taking the checkered flag. The veteran usually gives the flag away to one lucky fan, but he did things a bit differently this time. When he was interviewed on Victory Lane, the 41-year-old had tears in his eyes as he sent a special message to his wife and newborn son.

“You don’t know when you’re gonna do it again. I love all the men and women in Kaulig Racing so much. First of all, hi to my beautiful wife, my new baby boy. I usually give these checkered flags away but I’m gonna have to wrap this around Aero,” he said.

“My mom and dad, all my family and friends, those people see how much anguish and how much I put it on my shoulders when we’re struggling and it just means the world. I hate crying right now but it…you just…it’s a freaking Cup race man, you don’t know when it’s ever gonna happen again. Let’s go, come on,” Allmendinger added.

It was only the third win in his career and he was dominant in the third stage as he took the victory. The 41-year-old masterfully defended against a late charge by title favorite William Byron, who was in a much quicker Hendrick Motorsports car. AJ Allmendinger became the first non-playoff driver to win in the 2023 playoffs.

All of his three race wins have come on road courses. AJ Allmendinger had won at Watkins Glen in 2014 and at Indianapolis in 2021 before Sunday’s victory. He was full of praise for Kaulig Racing who made their debut in the Cup Series at the 2020 Daytona 500.

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Veteran racer hails young Cup Series team

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AJ Allmendinger had already mentioned that he loved the men and women working at Kaulig Racing but that is not where the praise ended. Being one of the senior drivers on the grid, he used the experience to help the team and the results finally showed.

“This is why you do it. This is the only reason you do it. You fight. All the blood, sweat, tears, everybody at Kaulig Racing has just been such … I’d say a down year, but up-and-down year. It’s our second year in the Cup Series,” the 41-year-old said.

It was a great moment for NASCAR in 2023. To see a veteran coming out of nowhere and winning is always incredible. This emotional victory will stay with fans for a long time to come.

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