Recently, Dale Earnhardt Jr. supports Justin Allgaier‘s NASCAR journey by backing the Xfinity Series veteran as he publicly addressed misunderstandings about his time in the NASCAR Cup Series. Speaking about his earlier years, Allgaier clarified that his stint with HScott Motorsports was hindered by uncompetitive equipment, explaining several critics have misinterpreted his performance during that period.
Allgaier Confronts Misconceptions From His Cup Series Experience
Justin Allgaier started his professional racing journey with Penske and Turner Scott Motorsports in the Xfinity Series, later stepping up to HScott Motorsports in the Cup Series for the 2014 season. During his two-year term with HScott, Allgaier only managed one top-10 finish—an outcome shaped by the limitations of the underperforming team. Upon returning to the Xfinity Series in 2016 with JR Motorsports, he went on to secure his first championship, marking a significant turnaround in his career.
While discussing his career path in a conversation with Jeff Gluck, Allgaier directly responded to those who claimed he had missed his shot at the sport’s top level. He emphasized that his Cup Series tenure did not include access to the resources given to top teams, and HScott Motorsports would eventually fold a few years after his departure.
Addressing frequent fan misconceptions, Allgaier told The Athletic:
“A lot of people assume when I was in Cup, I had equal equipment to what the guys up front were running. I see a lot of comments where somebody will say, “Oh, I wish he would go back to Cup racing” and then you’ll see 100 comments that say, “He had a shot in Cup and didn’t make it last.” Well, look at Alex Bowman when he drove for BK Racing. Look at Clint Bowyer when he drove the (HScott Motorsports) car after me.” —Justin Allgaier, Driver
The 2014 rookie class, which included Allgaier, featured strong talents like Kyle Larson, Austin Dillon, Alex Bowman, and Parker Kligerman. Allgaier concluded the season third among rookies, following only Larson and Dillon. Notably, Alex Bowman struggled during his own rookie year with BK Racing but went on to prove himself at Hendrick Motorsports with breakout substitute runs in 2016. Similarly, Clint Bowyer found it difficult to achieve success with HScott Motorsports after Allgaier’s departure.
Despite the hurdles faced in the Cup Series, Allgaier asserted that he would not alter his career decisions, though he expressed interest in racing for a more competitive Cup team if given the opportunity in the future.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Approves Allgaier’s On-Track Decision-Making
During a recent Xfinity Series race, Justin Allgaier chose to disregard a pit call from his crew chief, opting for a bolder strategy that ultimately resulted in a fourth-place finish. Although William Byron snatched the victory with fresher tires, Dale Earnhardt Jr. publicly endorsed Allgaier’s judgment and approach.
“Justin is a veteran and a champion now, he has earned that opportunity to make those type of decisions. Every decision you make is always not going to be the right one. He took a gamble, I’m fine with him doing that. If we don’t get a couple of those yellows late, maybe he pulls it off.” —Dale Earnhardt Jr., Driver/Team Owner
Earnhardt Jr. noted that Allgaier’s experience positioned him to make bold strategy calls, and insisted that under different race circumstances—specifically, without late cautions—Allgaier might have claimed the win. This recognition from Earnhardt Jr. highlights his ongoing support of Allgaier’s pursuit within NASCAR’s ranks.
Allgaier Leads the Xfinity Standings as JR Motorsports Drivers Excel
Justin Allgaier currently sits atop the Xfinity Series leaderboard, holding a 72-point advantage over Austin Hill. Other JR Motorsports drivers are also making significant strides: Connor Zilisch is in sixth place, Carson Kvapil holds eighth, and Sammy Smith rounds out the top 13. These results emphasize both Allgaier’s steady performance and JR Motorsports’ overall success across the Xfinity field.
The debate around Allgaier’s Cup Series tenure persists, but with Dale Earnhardt Jr. supports Justin Allgaier’s NASCAR journey both on and off the track, Allgaier’s future looks bright as he shapes his legacy among the sport’s elite. The ongoing support from influential figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and continued strong showings in the Xfinity Series suggest that Allgaier’s journey in NASCAR remains far from over.
