AJ Allmendinger is slated to be the subsequent driver to make historical past. How is that so? Allmendinger will likely be making his five hundredth profession NASCAR begin when he takes the inexperienced flag on Sunday, June 28, at Sonoma Raceway.
The feat marks Allmendinger because the 2nd driver to achieve 500 profession races this season. achieved the identical historic mark at Pocono Raceway again on June 14, 2026.
Commercial
The very best a part of this matter, nonetheless, might not solely be that Allmendinger will make historical past in begins. It is going to be that Allmendinger might fairly make historical past in successful trend. The veteran driver is named a fan-branded ‘Highway Course Ringer.’
His common ending place in NASCAR is 20.7, however on highway programs alone, Allmendinger averages 15.0. He has 3 profession wins on such monitor sorts, spanning 48 begins. These are the one 3 wins Allmendinger has ever achieved in his profession, which is 499 begins deep.
Can Allmendinger actually win this week? That reply is: in all probability not. Allmendinger is 30-to-1 to win the race, . Whereas it’s doable, Shane van Gisbergen and Tyler Reddick are much more prone to get the job achieved, whereas Allmendinger extra fairly goals for a top-10 end.
Commercial
A Profession Recap of AJ Allmendinger within the Cup Collection
AJ Allmendinger Celebrates Victory at The Charlotte Roval. (Picture by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Photos)(Picture by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Photos)
Allmendinger made his in 2007, racing within the No. 84 for Staff Pink Bull. After signing a deal in October of 2006, Allmendinger was able to be a younger rising star within the Cup Collection. He teamed up with Brian Vickers, who drove the No. 83. Nevertheless, the rookie season lacked a lot to be desired, reaching zero top-10 finishes.
The rookie season, which was a wrestle for Allmendinger, ended his Staff Pink Bull stint fairly rapidly. Allmendinger signed on to Gillett-Evernham Motorsports, racing of their No. 10. Allmendinger made his debut with the group late in that very same 2007 season, racing 5 races with 0 top-10 finishes, however a significantly better common end of 16.4.
Commercial
Allmendinger’s profession remained hectic. He briefly raced with Michael Waltrip Racing, then was retained by Gillett-Evernham Motorsports, which finally grew to become Richard Petty Motorsports. Over 3 seasons, the group nonetheless failed to search out victory lane, however Allmendinger would obtain 24 top-10 finishes in 108 begins.
Quick ahead to 2012, Allmendinger joined a giant group, Staff Penske, however his suspension ended that one-year run rapidly attributable to a failed drug check. Allmendinger then joined JTG Daugherty Racing in 2013, the place he remained for six seasons. Allmendinger received his first profession race in 2013 at Watkins Glen.
Lastly, Allmendinger discovered his present dwelling with Kaulig Racing in 2021. Since then, he has remained with the group, now driving the No. 16 Chevrolet. He received in 2021 on the Indy Highway Course and once more in 2023 on the Charlotte Roval. Allmendinger is presently twentieth within the 2026 driver standings, 21 factors exterior of the Sixteenth-place bubble that’s owned by Ryan Preece.
Commercial
What The Future Holds for the NASCAR Veteran?
Allmendinger has been locked up by Kaulig Racing, and the 44-year-old will stay beneath contract via the 2029 season, with choices via 2032. He groups with Ty Dillon, who races the No. 10.
Whereas any additional wins will likely be onerous to return by, the group stays assured it will probably get its driver to the playoffs. A 2026 look is definitely doable, particularly if Allmendinger can run sturdy at Sonoma this weekend, which would be the closing highway course race of 2026.
This story was initially revealed by on Jun 23, 2026, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a
