Driver Spotlight: ‘Dinger’s In A Dodge

(This is the first in a weekly series spotlighting Sprint Cup drivers. We’ll take ‘em all one-by-one in alphabetical order)

It makes sense that A.J. Allmendinger’s in a Dodge, taking over the #10 at Gillett-Evernham Racing in place of Patrick Carpentier. The manufacturer and driver are no strangers to each other.

While 26-year-old from Los Gatos, California is relatively new to the NASCAR scene, Allmendinger’s no stranger to turning laps in a Dodge. In 2001, Anthony James Allmendinger finished second in the points to Julio Campos in the Formula Dodge Championship- just missing the title by two points. In 2002, Allmendinger broke out with a championship in the Barber Dodge Pro Series.

Like many NASCAR drivers, this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of accomplishments. A.J.’s accolades include two championships in the International Karting Federation Grand Nationals, a rookie record 8 wins in the Toyota Atlantic series in 2003. Those victories laid the foundation for Allmendinger to not only win top rookie honors, but also win the series championship.

For all that, the hard-racing Californian is probably best know for his exploits in the Champ Car series. In 2004, Allmendinger became the first American to earn rookie of the year honors in Champ Car since 1991. He went on to finish 5th in the Champ Car points standings in 2005, then he went on to pick up 5 wins in 2006. A.J.’s success earned the notice of Bill Davis, who gave him a ride in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2006. Allmendinger rewarded Davis’ confidence with 15th place finish in his debut at New Hampshire, and then he bettered that with an impressive 5th place finish at Talladega.

As NASCAR turned the page to the 2007, A.J. Allmendinger was signed by Team Red Bull to pilot the #84 Toyota. The campaign proved a challenge to Allmendinger’s resolve- crashing in the Gatorade Duals and failing to make the field until Bristol. A.J. finished 40th in his maiden Sprint Cup voyage.

Even with all the struggles, there was plenty of NASCAR buzz that suggested that the former open wheeler had the spunk, the fearlessness and the skill to succeed on stock car racing’s biggest stage. The knock on Allmendinger was the need for experience. A.J. gained valuable seat time, piloting a trauck for Darrell Waltrip Motorsports, and racing in the #42 car for Chip Ganassi in the Nationwide Series. Allmendinger went on to race in 17 Sprint Cup events, finishing 43rd in the standings and demonstrating greater potential as the season wound down.

Allmendinger’s road to NASCAR glory became marred with potholes as the 2008 season got underway. Allmendinger failed to qualify for the Daytona 500, and for a variety of reasons missed the field for the next 3 races. Team Red Bull benched A.J. for CTS veteran Mike Skinner. Fortunately, that attitude that endeared fans to him strengthened his resolve not to sulk, but to learn while a more experienced hand worked to improve on the “84″ team’s standing in the series. The driver whose introduction to racing came racing BMX bikes at the age of 5 soon returned to score a non-points qualifying win in the Sprint All-Star race.

While this season has seen good moments for Allmendinger- he showed off his road course skills with an 11th place finish at Watkins-Glen- he still had frustrating finishes that saw him bobbing up and down around 35th in the points. Though Allmendinger learned that he’d be replaced in the Red Bull #84 by phenom Scott Speed, Allmendinger turned in a career best 9th at Kansas.

What’s next for A.J.? 2009 is still a bit murky, but since leaving Red Bull, Allmendinger entered one race in the #00 for Michael Waltrip, and he finished 15th in the #10 for Ray Evernham last Sunday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. He looks like a good fit for the team, alongside teammates Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler.

The fact that his favorite racers are Jeff Gordon and Juan Pablo Montoya tell you something about Allmendinger’s connection to open wheel racing. Besides racing- Allmendinger enjoys cycling, bowling, and playing video games- a popular pursuit among NASCAR’s young guns.

A.J. Allmendinger jacks himself up to the music of Linkin Park, 50 Cent, Fuel and Usher. He married Canadian chiropractor and model Lynne Kushnirenko in January, 2007. The couple splits time between homes in Huntersville, North Carolina and Toronto, Canada.

Sources: Sporting News Officially Licensed NASCAR Record and Fact Book (2007 edition); Wikipedia; a.j.allmendinger.com.