Justin Allgaier stepped into the spotlight by replacing Kyle Larson during the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race practice and qualifying at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Friday. As Larson participated in Indy 500 practice and qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports chose Allgaier to drive the #5 Chevrolet in his place, demonstrating the team’s trust in his skill and experience. Reflecting on the session, Justin Allgaier described the #5 car as “interesting” to drive and shared that it met all the targets set by the team, especially during longer runs.
After putting in crucial laps for the team, Justin Allgaier reported that the car responded well to the track, stating,
“We were able to get on the target pace by lap 40.”
These insights are especially valuable with Larson balancing a challenging schedule, known as “Double Duty,” attempting to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day—a feat made even more ambitious after last year’s weather setbacks.
Justin Allgaier’s selection was far from arbitrary. Competing full-time in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, he is having an impressive season, with two victories and eight top-10 finishes already. His adaptability and steady performance made him the logical choice to protect the #5’s competitiveness while Larson focused on his IndyCar goals.
At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Larson qualified 21st with a speed of 231.326 mph, showing determination despite not being among the fastest. Meanwhile, racing talents like Alex Palou and Scott McLaughlin dominated the charts, but Larson noted it was a good day “overall” and found the car comfortable, albeit less so than the 2024 model. Notably, he previously secured fifth place in Indy 500 qualifying and earned the Rookie of the Year Award for his efforts.
This collaboration between Justin Allgaier and Hendrick Motorsports underscores the fluidity and excitement in NASCAR’s top tiers. As Allgaier expertly handled the All-Star practice, fans await to see if Larson can overcome the demanding schedule and if Allgaier’s feedback can give the #5 car a competitive edge in upcoming races.
