Race Report: Phoenix

JR Motorsports Race Report

March 9th, 2019
Race 4 of 33: iK9 Service Dog 200 at ISM Raceway
Track Specs: 1-mile oval/ 200 laps
Weather: Cloudy; 66 degrees
Race Winner: Kyle Busch
Allgaier's Finish: 14th

Justin Allgaier was running in the second position during Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at ISM Raceway when a car ahead of him blew an engine, leaving fluid on the track and causing the No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevy to make hard contact with the wall. Battling back after the team made repairs, Allgaier was able to salvage a 14th-place finish in the 200-lap race.

Starting the race from the seventh position, Allgaier radioed early on that the No. 7 Chevy was free on entry and exit. He remained inside the top 10 and as the run went on, he reported that the BRANDT Camaro was getting tight through the center of the turns. On lap 32, the caution flag came out, giving the team the opportunity to make some adjustments. Under the yellow, crew chief Jason Burdett called Allgaier in for four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment. Allgaier restarted in 15th with under 10 laps to go in Stage One and took the green-and-white checkered flag in ninth on lap 45, collecting two stage points.

Staying out under the stage-ending caution, Allgaier started Stage Two in sixth and drove up to fourth in a hurry. He radioed that the BRANDT Chevy was a little free on entry, better on exit and still tight through the center of the turns. He stayed in fourth for the remainder of Stage Two, collecting more valuable stage points when the green-and-white checkered flag waved on lap 90.

Under the caution to end Stage Two, Allgaier came to pit road for four tires, fuel and an air-pressure adjustment. He took the green flag for the final stage in fourth and battled inside the top five, making his way to second by lap 105. Just 10 laps later, he reported to the team that the No. 7 Camaro was still tight through the center of the turns, but he continued to hold strong in second. On lap 131, a lapped car ahead of Allgaier blew an engine, leaving behind smoke and fluid. Allgaier got into the fluid and was unable to avoid making contact with the wall, causing heavy damage to the right rear of his BRANDT Chevrolet.

The team called Allgaier down pit road for repairs under the caution. He made multiple stops as the team continued to work on the No. 7 Camaro. Remaining on the lead lap through the repairs, Allgaier restarted from the 18th position on lap 143 and advanced his position up to 11th within a few laps. He continued to battle until the end with his heavily damaged BRANDT Chevy, ultimately taking the checkered flag in the 14th position.

Kyle Busch won the race and was followed by Ryan Truex and Tyler Reddick, with Cole Custer and Austin Cindric rounding out the top five.

Justin Allgaier, driver No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture team

“Unfortunately we got into Turn 1 there with that car blowing up. It was kind of the perfect storm. My BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevy just took off. The problem was once you got out of the oil, you were still going fast enough that it was just impossible to get stopped. I thought I almost had it. I couldn't see the fence because of the smoke and I thought I almost had it, but unfortunately still got it pretty good. The guys had worked hard throughout the race on adjustments and we were probably the best we had been all day, so it was tough for that to happen. We had a top-five car.”

No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Camaro

Start 7th
Finish 14th
Laps Completed (Led) 199 of 200
Points (Bonus) 32
Point Standings (from leader) 9th (-41)
Status Running

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