“I don’t necessarily look at it as a step down, I look at it as a step in the right direction.” That is what Justin Allgaier said when he transitioned from the Cup Series to Xfinity at the end of 2015. Indeed, Dale Jr.’s driver was right. Over the past decade, the NASCAR star has clinched 27 race victories and even a Xfinity Series championship in 2024. So when Allgaier looks over his shoulder, he harbors no regrets.

Yet the desire to go back to NASCAR’s highest level was reignited this year. In February 2025, Justin Allgaier represented his team, JR Motorsports, as it ventured into the Cup Series for the first time. He brought Dale Jr, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, to tears of joy – and himself to a renewed ambition.

Dale Jr. drives more passion into his champion

Wheeling the No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet, Justin Allgaier had plenty of reasons to be nervous. He led JRM to its first Cup entry since its 2007 inception while fighting with NASCAR’s Open Exemption Provisional rule. Not only did he qualify for the Daytona 500, but he also finished 9th. This top-ten finish reminded Allgaier of his previous experience in the Cup Series. He last competed in 2014-15, wheeling the No. 51 Chevrolet for HScott Motorsports. However, it was mostly fruitless as through 73 starts, Allgaier earned only one top-10 finish. Following that stint, Allgaier had been recruited into Dale Jr’s fold, immediately after Chase Elliott’s Xfinity Series Championship for JRM in 2014.

As Allgaier did not consider it a demotion then, neither does he consider it now. In a recent interview with The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck, Dale Jr revealed that his team did not put him at par with his rivals. He said, “A lot of people assume when I was in Cup, I had equal equipment to what the guys up front were running. I see a lot of comments where somebody will say, “Oh, I wish he would go back to Cup racing” and then you’ll see 100 comments that say, “He had a shot in Cup and didn’t make it last.” Well, look at Alex Bowman when he drove for BK Racing. Look at Clint Bowyer when he drove the car after me. You could name all these guys who drove in stuff that wasn’t competitive, but they were still able to go on and be ultra successful (in better cars).”

It was not entirely a sluggish story, though. In his lone HScott Motorsports top-ten finish at a 2015 Bristol race, Justin Allgaier made it count. He blocked four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon for 150 laps before finishing 8th. Considering that Allgaier could fetch a good finish even in unsuitable equipment, the sky is the limit for Dale Jr’s driver in good equipment. He dropped a wish with a condition: “I don’t regret that time, and I wouldn’t change it. Would I love an opportunity on the Cup side in good equipment? Yeah, absolutely. But if I look back at my career, I wouldn’t have changed anything I’ve done from then to now.” The JR Motorsports driver would not like to change anything, as everything added up to make him the Xfinity Championship winner in 2024. He became more practical with time. And his 2024 post-race speech was a gem.

Justin Allgaier said, “When I first started in NASCAR, I thought I was ready to win a championship. I thought I was ready to compete at a high level. As you get older, and especially having the kids and seeing them grow up … I don’t know if I would have enjoyed the moment as much then as I do now. It’s been absolutely amazing to watch [daughters Harper and Willow] enjoy it.” And, the win of his 2024 season can also be credited to his resilience.

There were six races he had failed to finish last season. Out of the first 15 races in 2024, he had 5 finishes of 25th position or worse. And the playoffs opening was also a mess for him. Allgaier finished 36th at Kansas and 25th at Talladega, raising the chances of being eliminated at the Charlotte Roval. Even in the championship race, he was penalized for a restart violation and speeding on the pit road. But, like a true champion, he kept everything aside and shot for the win. But, from his words, we can draw speculations.

Clearly, the Xfinity Series champion is focused on the present state of his career. However, his Cup ambitions are undeniable, especially since his role model is a legend.

Trending

1

NASCAR Cup Driver Stripped of Win in Dramatic Nashville Fairgrounds Twist

2

How Much Money Did Kyle Larson Make From His Indy 500 Run? Here Is Everything You Need to Know

3

Dale Jr. Reveals Prime Video’s Greatest Edge That FOX Can Never Match in NASCAR

4

“Seems Fishy”: Fans Suspect ‘Scandal’ as Historic NASCAR Track Suspiciously Gets Put on Sale

5

“There Aren’t Enough Curse Words”: Teresa Earnhardt’s Name Dragged Through the Mud by Fans Months After Earning Goodwill

Looking up to The Intimidator

Amidst Amazon Prime’s new documentary release, memories of the ‘Intimidator’ are renewing. Dale Earnhardt Sr remains the most legendary Cup driver that NASCAR has ever seen. His racetrack achievements were glorious, with 7 championships and 76 Winston Cup trophies. More importantly, his personality won over swathes of fans across generations. From executing smooth late-race passes to aggressive dumping en route to the victory, Dale Sr’s unpredictable tactics were a treat. That is why people keep Dale Sr close to their hearts, especially present-day racers. Justin Allgaier also looks up to his team owner’s late father. Dale Sr may have passed away in the 2001 Daytona 500, but his memory is alive and throbbing.

In The Athletic interview, Jeff Gluck asked what famous autograph Allgaier cherishes to this day. The Xfinity champion had an unequivocal response about the one and only legend: “I have a really cool shirt from the 1988 Talladega race that has some amazing signatures on it. It’s got Dale Earnhardt Sr. I don’t remember getting it, but I remember the shirt. My mom has got it framed now. Kenny Schrader was at the house one year, and my mom was talking about the shirt and how it was so cool. I don’t remember who she thought won the race, but she thought (that person) had signed it. And Kenny said, “Dorothy, he didn’t win the race… No, Dorothy …” They went back and forth a few times. Then Kenny said, “I won that race. I remember that very well. So they didn’t win the race.”

While hailing his role model, Justin Allgaier remains committed to NASCAR’s highest tier. Let us see when the driver can run in the Cup Series again.