Allgaier Cuts Point Deficit in Half with Top 5 Finish at Charlotte

Race 29 of 33: Blue Cross NC 300
Track Specs: 1.500 mile paved track
Race Winner: Corey Day
Allgaier’s finish: P3
Smith’s finish: P16
Finch;s finish: P31
Kvapil’s finish: P32
Caruth’s finish: 36

Justin Allgaier

Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 7 Jarrett Chevrolet, cut his point deficit in half on Sunday evening in the rain-delayed NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event at Charlotte Motor Speedway after taking the checkered flag in the fourth position. Allgaier, who lined up in 23rd after rain washed out qualifying on Saturday, charged through the field, improving 19 positions to end Stage One in fourth and earn seven extremely valuable stage points. The JR Motorsports driver’s ascent didn’t stop there, as Allgaier powered into the race lead in the second stage and drove away from the field to earn the Stage Two win and the 10 points that accompany it. During the third and final stage, Allgaier continued to fight within the top three before ultimately crossing the finish line for the final time in fourth. With tonight’s top-five result, Allgaier sits just 15 points out of the lead as the NOAPS heads to Phoenix Raceway next weekend, a track where Allgaier visited Victory Lane at earlier this season.

“Our Jarrett Chevrolet was really good tonight. Andrew (Overstreet, crew chief) and everyone on this JR Motorsports team gave me a great car. I wish we could be the ones celebrating in Victory Lane, but to make up as much ground as we did in the points is just a testament to how hard this team works. Now it’s on to Phoenix where we will go and have some fun.”

Sammy Smith

Sammy Smith, driver of the No. 8 Arby’s Cheesesteak Chevrolet, started 13th at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Blue Cross NC 300 as a result of the lineup being set by the NASCAR rulebook after qualifying was cancelled due to rain. After 200 laps, Smith finished 16th and now sits ninth in The Chase Standings. The JR Motorsports driver rolled off 13th to start the 200-lap feature and reported the balance of the car was good, but he could use more stability on the exit of the turns. Crew chief Cory Shea utilized the competition caution on lap 20 to bring Smith down pit road for adjustments which would allow him to restart just outside the top-10 in 11th. Throughout the remaining laps of Stage One, Smith maintained his position and after taking the first green-and-white checkered flag in 13th relayed to the team that while the balance was better, he still needed more stability. Quick work by the pit crew saw Smith line up for Stage Two inside the top-10 where he would stay for the entirety of Stage Two taking the second green-and-white checkered flag in ninth, earning valuable stage points. Gaining two more spots off pit road to start the final stage, Smith avoided several on track incidents, but as the track cooled down, he battled the balance of his Chevrolet, falling back to 22nd. After one final trip down pit road, the lowa native was able to power through the field and take the checkered flag in 16th. “We had a fast car to start the night, but we just couldn’t get the balance where we needed it that last run. Phoenix is one of my favorite tracks, so I am looking forward to continuing our fight there next week and getting this group in the win column.’

Jake Finch

Jake Finch, driver of the No. 9 WILDE Cracker Chevrolet, made his fourth start for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event on Sunday evening at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Finch started in the 36th position after qualifying was rained out on Saturday afternoon. The JRM driver quickly found himself inside the top-20 during the first stage. Finch finished the first stage in the 26th position, while battling a loose-handling racecar. The second stage started and the handling on the No. 9 WILDE Cracker Chevrolet was much improved. When the green-and-white checkered flag waved at the end of the second stage, Finch was scored in the 24th position. During the final stage, Finch was involved in a multi-car incident that ultimately sent the No. 9 WILDE Cracker Chevrolet to the garage. In the end, Finch was scored in the 31st position.

“I hate that our night got cut short, but I can’t thank Phil (Bell, crew chief) and everyone on this WILDE Cracker team enough for all the hard work that went into tonight. It’s really unfortunate that we didn’t get a chance to fight it out at the finish, but we made a lot gains throughout the night. I wish we could’ve gotten the finish we deserve, but I know that we are going to another solid car next weekend in Phoenix.”

Carson Kvapil

Carson Kvapil, driver of the No. 1 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet, started on the pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday evening after the race was pushed back one day due to weather. Kvapil led the opening laps before settling into the top-five and finished the first stage in fifth. Kvapil was battling a loose-handling racecar throughout the first run and, after a round of pit stops and adjustments the No. 1 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet was still free during the second stage. When the green- and-white checkered flag waved at the end of the second stage, Kvapil was scored in the eighth position. As the final stage started, Kvapil was running inside the top-five when a tire blew forcing the No. 1 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet to make an unscheduled pit stop under green. A mechanical issue caused Kvapil to come back down pit road multiple times for flat tires and ultimately sent the JR Motorsports driver to the garage to make repairs. Kvapil returned to the track 29 laps down. In the end, Kvapil finished in the 32nd position.

“It was a disappointing finish, but Rodney (Childers, crew chief) and this entire No. 1 Roto-Rooter team worked their tails off to get us back out on track. I can’t thank them enough for the effort and helping us gain a few positions in the closing laps. It was good to pick up some valuable stage points. This entire No. 1 team will get back to work and be ready to go in Phoenix next weekend.

Rajah Caruth

Rajah Caruth and the No. 88 HendrickCars.com team finished 36th at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday evening after a mechanical issue ended their night early. With qualifying cancelled due to rain, Caruth started 10th and quickly moved into seventh by lap three before battling a loose-handling Chevrolet throughout the opening stage. The Washington, D.C., native finished Stage one in the 11th position as the team continued making adjustments to improve the car’s balance. Caruth struggled with rear grip and overall handling during the second stage, ultimately finishing 14th. Following additional adjustments and repairs to the right-front fender, Caruth restarted the final stage in 29th and worked his way forward as the handling improved. A caution on lap 111 allowed the team to pit for four tires and fuel, setting Caruth up to restart 14th on lap 116. Unfortunately, shortly after the restart, a mechanical issue ultimately forced the team to the garage and ender their race with a 36th place result.

“Just a frustrating night for our No. 88 HendrickCars.com team. We struggled with the balance early, but the guys kept working on it and we finally got the car driving a lot better in the final stage. We were making some progress in a decent position before the mechanical issue ended our night. Hate it for everyone on this team because they worked hard all weekend. We’ll regroup and focus on Phoenix.