Justin Allgaier, the standout Dale Earnhardt Jr driver, has directly addressed questions about his Cup Series career after a strong showing at this year’s Daytona 500, emphasizing he holds no regrets about his time at NASCAR’s highest level. While racing for JR Motorsports in their Cup debut, Allgaier’s performance renewed conversations about his past stints and future potential in the Cup Series.
Fans who recently discovered Allgaier might not know he previously raced in the Cup Series, leading many to wonder why he isn’t in a top-performing ride today. Those familiar with Allgaier’s journey often reflect on his earlier seasons, noting his struggles to maintain a secure, competitive spot. Despite the critiques and debates about that chapter of his career, Allgaier remains unbothered by the judgments.
Allgaier Dispels Myths About His Cup Series Experience
Speaking candidly with Jeff Gluck, Justin Allgaier clarified misconceptions about his time in the Cup Series, stating,
A lot of people assume when I was in Cup, I had equal equipment to what the guys up front were running.
—Justin Allgaier, Driver
He further commented on public perception, sharing,
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.’
—Justin Allgaier, Driver
Despite these persistent narratives, Allgaier is steadfast about his journey:
I don’t regret that time and I wouldn’t change it. Would I love an opportunity on the Cup side in good equipment? Yeah, absolutely. But if I look back at my career, I wouldn’t have changed anything I’ve done from then to now.
—Justin Allgaier, Driver
To illustrate his perspective, Allgaier pointed to other drivers like Alex Bowman, who faced early struggles at BK Racing before succeeding, and Clint Bowyer, who took over an underfunded vehicle at HScott Motorsports following Allgaier’s tenure. These examples highlight, in Allgaier’s view, that available equipment often determines results more than inherent ability.
A Look at Allgaier’s Cup Series Track Record
Justin Allgaier’s main run in the Cup Series came behind the wheel of the No. 51 Chevrolet for HScott Motorsports during 2014 and 2015. During these two seasons, he earned just one top-10 finish and typically ended races outside of the top 25, ultimately closing out those years ranked 29th and 30th in the championship standings. The lack of resources and competitive machinery proved challenging and limited his potential in the series.
In the years since, Allgaier has flourished in the Xfinity Series. Since entering the division in 2009, he has consistently been a strong contender. After frequently coming close, he achieved a major career milestone by winning the Xfinity championship last season, cementing his position as one of the division’s most reliable and successful drivers.
Perspective Born From Adversity
Reflecting on personal and professional challenges, Allgaier admitted to Jeff Gluck that the road hasn’t always been easy. When prompted about his toughest times, he replied with a touch of humor:
Can I just put my whole career in there? (Laughs)
—Justin Allgaier, Driver
Allgaier also shared an inside joke from within the No. 7 team:
If you want it easy, don’t come to the 7 car,
—Justin Allgaier, Driver. This motto captures the demanding nature and high expectations present in his current team’s environment.
He openly acknowledged that, during his Cup tenure, he didn’t always handle adversity and disappointment as gracefully as he wished. Over time, however, he gained appreciation for the challenges faced, realizing that even disappointing weekends held value. Today, Allgaier reflects on past struggles with gratitude for the lessons learned, rather than frustration over missed opportunities.
As Allgaier continues to build his legacy, his honest reflections and consistent performance in the Xfinity Series reinforce his reputation as a resilient and dedicated driver. While supporters may continue to debate his Cup Series chapter, Allgaier’s unwavering outlook and achievements suggest his story is far from defined by those early challenges.
