Allgaier decided to explore his options, even if it meant returning to the Xfinity Series.
“There were a few opportunities to stay in the Cup Series, but the best opportunity was here at JR Motorsports. Just seeing the team, the people and having the ability to go to the race track and run up front every week made me realize how much I missed that,” Allgaier said. “But none of this is possible without Brandt Professional Agriculture. Them being a part of this program, it made the most sense for them to come back here to the Xfinity Series and I feel like it made the most sense for me as a driver.”
At 34 years old, Allgaier has a rather unique measuring stick for racing success.
“At the end of the day, from how I look at things, I don’t necessarily classify the big moments — the wins, things like that. What I consider successful might be odd to most fans,” he said. “I’ve made a ton of great friends and experienced some opportunities that the average person may never have the opportunity to do. And I don’t take that for granted. For me, that’s what drives me to keep going in this sport.
“Don’t get me wrong, winning races and winning championships is what this sport is all about, and I love winning races and would love nothing more than to win a championship,” Allgaier continued. “But for me, the successes and biggest accomplishments have been the experiences that I’ve been able to amass over my time in this sport.”
As an elder statesman among his JR Motorsports teammates and in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Allgaier enjoys sharing his experience.
“I’ve always been open with any driver, whether they are a teammate or not. I had some really good teachers when I came into this sport and I think it’s important to drive the sport forward, to have people who are willing to help others,” he said. “Granted, it has to be a two-way street and you have to have one party who wants to get better and wants to learn, and the other party is willing to give them that help.
“We’ve got a very unique situation, especially right now in the Xfinity Series but even here at JR Motorsports; there is a wide range of experience, a wide range of talent. I’ve always been a guy if someone has a question or needs help, I’m willing to help. I’ve been beat by my own help before, which is disappointing, but that’s how it goes. I’ve enjoyed that role and that’s one of the things that makes this series so much fun for me.”
Heading into the NASCAR playoffs, Allgaier says the No. 7 JR Motorsports team needs a change of luck.
“I know that sounds kind of crazy, but I don’t think speed has been our issue. There have been a lot of races where we’ve been fast, if not the fastest car on the race track, and we’ve led a ton of laps,” Allgaier noted. “It just seems that no matter what we do the black cloud that has followed us the last 18 months or so has been extremely difficult to put behind us. But I’m also a firm believer that the definition of luck is when preparation meets opportunity. What’s interesting about that is that there have been races where we’ve been prepared and the opportunity has not been there. But there also have been races where the opportunity has been there and we haven’t been prepared.
“As a race team, as a driver, we have to be focused on being prepared every week and putting ourselves in position every week. If we do that week in and week out, eventually, things will work in our favor and we’ll win races and, eventually, win a championship.”
Where does Allgaier see his career five years from now?
“That’s a great question — and I don’t have a good answer,” he responded. “For me, every race has definitely been an honor to be a part of. If my career ended tomorrow or if it goes on for another 20 years, I’d be very happy with whatever the circumstances are. From where I’m at now, don’t get me wrong, there are races in the Cup Series that I feel I could go and compete at and run well; and given the right opportunity, I would love to go back and at least have a shot at a couple of those. But if those shots never come, I’m content with that as well.
“I love my home here at JR Motorsports, and I’m very blessed to be in a great situation.”