Talladega Superspeedway is known for mayhem and
surprising finishes. This time, it ended under yellow with Denny Hamlin going
to Victory Lane. Along with a winner sticker for the JGR driver, came some
notable finishes.
One of those notables was AJ Allmendinger who
finished fourth. The JTG-Daugherty Racing driver secured his first top five of
the season. For No. 47 team, it was their first top five since the 2011 Daytona
500.
The organization came to the Alabama track with a
strong race car. In first practice, they placed 11th and claimed
third place in qualifying. Determination, luck, and speed paid big for the
team.
This is not the only time they have impressed this
year. Last week at Richmond International Raceway, they finished sixth. At Auto
Club Speedway, the group finished eighth.
Looking back at the team’s history, this has been
their best season in four years – and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is only 10 races
into the 36 race season.
Contributing to the group’s success is their new
technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing. Receiving engines and
mechanical support from the organization, JTG-Daugherty Racing has become an
underdog team.
“It’s been amazing for the No. 47 JTG Daugherty
Racing team,” Allmendinger said. “With the new rules package - the ride height
rules and everything going into this season - there were so many variables for
us to try to figure out. To have all the engineering help and the notes that
RCR brings is a huge help to our race team. Without it, I feel like we could easily
be lost in trying to figure out where we are at."
Heading to Kansas Speedway next week, the team looks
to continue competing for top 10s. With the added momentum from Talladega, keep
an eye on the group. They are on their way to having a break out year.
“I’m just really proud of all the work the guys are
doing and to have all the sponsors we have on the car each weekend… I just take
it one week at a time. It can be this weekend, it could be next weekend
as long as we keep doing the things we are doing and progressively getting
better each weekend. You know, we will have a shot at it.”
