Is Justin Allgaier’s playoff dream slipping, or can he break out of his slump?
Justin Allgaie is in a difficult situation after Talladega. While he made the playoffs, he is barely hanging on, sitting 7 points below the elimination line.
Finishing 25th didn’t help, but teammate Sammy Smith’s victory was a silver lining. Smith’s win wasn’t easy, as he fought off challenges from Riley Herbst and Ryan Sieg while also nearly getting wrecked.
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As Sammy Smith defended his lead, teammate Justin Allgaier nearly ended his race. Fortunately, Allgaier backed off, preventing a total disaster for the team. After the race, Allgaier explained his thoughts during those critical moments.
When Justin Allgaier almost cost Sammy Smith the race
Sammy Smith finished just ahead of a fast-charging Ryan Sieg and Riley Herbst, with only fractions of a second separating them. Smith’s victory was not guaranteed. Adding to the pressure was teammate Justin Allgaier, pushing hard from behind with his own agenda.
After the race, Allgaier reflected on the dramatic final moments. “I got a great run there, and Sammy pulled up. I told him I sent it. If I’d reached his bumper, I would have wrecked him.” Allgaier pushed his car to the limit, and even Smith felt the pressure. “I looked in the mirror,” Smith said later, “and thought you were going to wreck me.”
In a split-second, Allgaier decided to back off. He wasn’t only thinking of himself. “The speed’s there every week,” he explained. “The No. 7 crew doesn’t deserve what’s happened recently. I feel bad for them.”
Allgaier’s playoff hopes have been shaken by poor finishes since Atlanta, where he finished 30th. More disappointing results at The Glen, Bristol, and Kansas have left him needing better performances to stay in the playoffs.
Despite his struggles, Allgaier remains committed to his team. “I race a lot, and I want to win for them. I don’t care about winning for myself. I want to win for them.”
His loyalty to the No. 7 crew is clear, knowing how hard they work. Winning is about giving the team the reward they deserve after all their efforts.
“They work 50 to 60 hours a week at the shop,” Allgaier said. “Plus, all the traveling they do. They don’t deserve to finish like this.” For Allgaier, each race is an opportunity to repay his team with the results they’ve earned.
What to know about Justin Allgaier’s slump
Justin Allgaier’s recent NASCAR Xfinity Series run has been full of bad luck. It began at Atlanta, where a risky side-draft move backfired, causing a multi-car wreck that hurt his title chances. The red flag was waved as crews cleared the chaos.
At Watkins Glen, his situation didn’t improve. Despite a good start, minor collisions threw him off his rhythm, leading to a 17th-place finish. Though not terrible, it was another setback in his pursuit of points.
At Bristol, Allgaier appeared ready to break his bad streak, but a late-race collision with Austin Green dropped him to 30th, costing him both the win and his lead in the standings. This major blow left him scrambling to catch up.
Kansas, the first playoff race, only worsened his situation. A crash with Sheldon Creed sent Allgaier hard into the wall, resulting in a 36th-place finish.
This early exit further damaged his playoff hopes. Despite this rough stretch, Allgaier still has time to turn things around—if luck finally turns in his favor.
