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BRICKYARD 400 Race Report

• AJ Allmendinger started in the 16th position in his third career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Indianapolis
• Allmendinger collected a 16th-place finish in Sunday’s event in his 100th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start
• Allmendinger now stands in 21st place in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver point standings after 20 races

 

Race Summary: AJ Allmendinger lined up his No. 43 Valvoline Ford Fusion in the 16th position for the start Sunday’s event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Just as the field rounded Turn 3 on the first lap of a scheduled 160-lap event, the yellow flag was displayed for a multi-car accident. While under the early caution, Allmendinger relayed that his Ford machine felt pretty good and the team opted to stay out as other cars made pit stops.

The race resumed at Lap 8 with the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports entry in the 14th position. By Lap 10, Allmendinger reported his temperatures were running hot and that his Ford was pushing some water. Crew chief Mike Shiplett made the quick call to bring his driver down pit road a lap later for four tires, which also provided a chance for the RPM crew to add some water and clean the grill of the car, which had collected some debris. All-mendinger rejoined the rest of the field in the 36th position, one lap in arrears.

The second caution flag of the day came at Lap 15. The Valvoline team took the opportunity to add some more water as an extra precaution and made a slight wedge adjustment. Before bringing his Ford down pit road, Allmendinger had reported that there was a significant amount of debris on the track from the accident that had brought out the second yellow, so Shiplett had the crew take a careful look at the car and clean the grill.

The race returned to green flag conditions at Lap 20 with Allmendinger in the 33rd position. The driver kept a steady pace and kept lap times as quick as those cars at the front of the field. During the third caution period of the day, the team went to work on alleviating a loose condition Allmendinger had reported. They made air pressure adjustments in addition to bolting on four fresh tires and fuel.

The field went back to green at Lap 69 with the No. 43 Valvoline Ford Fusion running one lap down in 28th. Allmendinger kept charging ahead to keep himself in line to regain lead lap status. That opportunity came when the caution flag waved at Lap 137. Shiplett made the call for Allmendinger to stay out and take the wave around instead of making a pit stop. The driver restarted at Lap 141 in the 25th position.

In the remaining laps, Allmendinger fought his way into the top-20. When the checkered flag waved, the No. 43 Valvoline Ford Fusion was in the 16th position. Allmendinger picked up one position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup driver point standings and now holds down 21st place.

Allmendinger on the Indy Event: “We salvaged a decent finish out of a tough day. I was thinking this would be a great place to get my first win, especially since it was my 100th career start, but it wasn’t to be today. We’ve got some more work to do and things to work on, but I’m proud of the guys. We’re working hard and keeping at it.”