Race Report: Pocono

JR Motorsports Race Report

June 1st, 2019
Race 12 of 33: Pocono Green 250 at Pocono Raceway
Track Specs: 2.5-mile triangle / 100 laps
Weather: Fair; 77 degrees
Race Winner: Cole Custer
Allgaier's Finish: 11th

Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 7 Klondike Chevrolet, earned a valuable playoff point, led 27 laps and overcame a late-race spin to earn an 11th-place finish in Saturday's Pocono Green 250 at Pocono Raceway. Allgaier and the No. 7 team currently sit fifth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series point standings with 12 races complete.

Starting the race from the ninth position, Allgaier steadily began working his way closer to the front. Running in sixth when the second caution flag of the day waved on lap 11, he reported to the team that the Klondike Camaro was lacking right-rear lateral grip. The team opted to stay out and Allgaier restarted in sixth, advancing his position to fourth before another caution flag waved. Allgaier was in second when the field went back to green with five laps remaining in Stage One and held on to the position, earning nine stage points when the green-and-white checkered flag waved. Under the stage-ending caution, Allgaier came to pit road for four tires, fuel and air-pressure adjustments.

He restarted in seventh on lap 31 and made quick work of the field, moving into the second position within a lap and taking over the lead soon after. On lap 47, a battle ensued between Allgaier and Tyler Reddick, but Allgaier maintained the position and cruised on to win Stage Two, collecting a valuable playoff point. Allgaier radioed to crew chief Jason Burdett that the Klondike Chevy was tight when he picked up the throttle and was still lacking rear lateral grip. The team opted to pit for fresh tires, fuel and an air-pressure adjustment.

Taking the green flag for the final stage in fourth on lap 56, Allgaier powered his way forward to retake the lead on lap 59. He paced the field for multiple laps before getting loose during a battle for the lead and sliding back to fourth. Shortly after, green-flag stops ensued and Allgaier remained on track until he came to pit road as the leader on lap 85. After a mishap on pit road created a long stop, Allgaier got back out on track in the 10th position, but quickly gained ground and was up to sixth before a caution came out on lap 93. He restarted in fifth and was battling for position when he got loose and spun, bringing out the caution. The Klondike Camaro suffered only minor damage and after pitting for tires and repairs, he lined up for NASCAR's version of overtime in 15th. Allgaier drove with determination, taking the checkered flag in 11th.

Cole Custer won the race and was followed by Reddick and Chase Briscoe, with JRM driver Ryan Preece and Christopher Bell rounding out the top five.

Justin Allgaier, driver No. 7 Klondike team

“It was a frustating day for our Klondike team. We were fortunate enough to lead laps and win a stage, and I thought we were going to be in good shape at the end there, but it just didn't work out for us. I'm proud of these guys though and all the hard work they put in. We'll be ready to get back at it in Michigan next week."

No. 7 Klondike Camaro

Start 9th
Finish 11th
Laps Completed (Led) 103 of 103 (27)
Points (Bonus) 45 (1)
Point Standings (from leader) 5th (133)
Status Running

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