AJ Allmendinger faces a challenge in the NASCAR Cup Series championship as he will start from the rear at Phoenix Raceway following a crash and tire issues in practice. This AJ Allmendinger Phoenix race update puts him in a difficult spot Sunday as he is the only driver dropping to the back of the field at Phoenix.
Setbacks in Practice Force Rear Start
During Friday’s practice session for the Phoenix championship race, 43-year-old AJ Allmendinger suffered a crash after experiencing a blown tire. The incident meant he was already set to start at the back of the grid, as he did not participate in Saturday qualifying sessions. His team was occupied with repairs and preparing a backup car, leaving him unable to run a qualifying lap before the deadline.
Despite the setback and repairs, Allmendinger’s backup vehicle is prepared for Sunday’s main event. With only 312 laps remaining in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, anticipation and pressure build for both the driver and his crew as the Phoenix raceway hosts the closing chapter of the year.
Allmendinger Shares Frustration and Focus
The recent run of misfortune has clearly weighed on Allmendinger, who has spoken candidly about his struggles and frustrations in recent weeks.
“I’m ready for this year to be over,”
Allmendinger said, via Frontstretch.
“…I’ll have a bruise on my elbow. I think I bounced it off the seat when I hit but other than that, I’ll be fine. Blew a left front, but I don’t know. The first run, we blew a left rear like three laps into it. Everything felt fine there. I was already tight. But the balance was OK, and I just wanted to run the laps out and put a 25-30 lap run to see what we had.”
— AJ Allmendinger, NASCAR driver
Another tire failure left his crew searching for answers regarding an apparent pattern of left-side tire problems. Allmendinger addressed the unusual issues as the team reviewed their tire strategy.
“Yeah, it just all of a sudden blew out of nowhere. So, I don’t know if it’s we’re too low on tire pressure. We usually on our group in practice, we’re not overly low in tire pressure but to have two left side tires blow out, we got to figure out why.”
— AJ Allmendinger, NASCAR driver
Season Recap Highlights Consistency Despite Adversity
Despite the difficult conclusion to his season, Allmendinger’s overall performance in 2025 shows notable successes. He has managed to secure seven top-10 finishes, along with two finishes inside the top five. His average result over the course of the year stands at 20.886, a testament to consistent effort amid the highs and lows of a demanding NASCAR campaign.
What Comes Next for Allmendinger and the Field
With the Phoenix race serving as both a season finale and a significant test after recent mechanical trouble, Allmendinger and his team face the dual challenge of addressing tire reliability while staying focused on competition. Phoenix Raceway’s fast, demanding circuit adds another layer of complexity for any driver starting from the back. The wider field remains on alert as tire strategies and car setups come to the forefront. Sunday’s race is set to close out a turbulent season for Allmendinger, leaving fans and teams watching for any last-minute surprises as the checkered flag signals the end of 2025’s NASCAR Cup Series action.
“I’m ready for this year to be over”
AJ Allmendinger checked and released after blowing a tire in practice.
Presenting Partner: The Pit Stop Diecasts https://t.co/YtYiFPH7Zy pic.twitter.com/3M52wYMPas
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) October 31, 2025
