The long-awaited NASCAR Xfinity Series championship for Justin Allgaier last Saturday night felt like a fairytale. In a race that tested him to the limit, Allgaier rallied from a lap down, charging through the double-overtime laps to finish second but win the series championship. Despite Herbst’s No. 98 Ford edging past him on the last lap, Allgaier continued to celebrate with matching burnouts, marking the win.

Jim Pohlman, crew chief for Allgaier’s No. 7, was just as excited about the win as Allgaier was. Having worked with Allgaier in the 2008 ARCA Series, Pohlman was delighted to see his driver finally earn NASCAR’s top Xfinity honor. In a SiriusXM NASCAR radio interview with Pohlman after the victory, he didn’t fail to mention the teamwork and high-stakes adjustments that helped them win.

Dale Jr.’s Insider Weighed in on Team’s Success

After Allgier’s primary totaled, a dedicated group of shop personnel spent the week meticulously setting up his backup car to ensure it was as close to race-ready as possible. And that turned out to be crucial when the team had to rely on the backup in Phoenix.

During practice, Justin Allgaier slid through an oil spill caused by the broken transmission of the No. 44 Chevrolet. Thanks to the incident, Allgaier had no choice but to run with his backup car in preparation for the final race. It wasn’t just JR Motorsports’ efforts that let Allgaier run in the race. In addition to the backup car, he needed permission to run a new set of tires. Following a discussion between Wayne Auton, the series director, as well as the other Championship 4 contenders Cole Custer, Austin Hill, and AJ Allmendinger, Allgaier could practice with an extra set of tires.

JR Motorsports insider Pohlman says that focusing on both cars simultaneously allowed them to make fine adjustments and get the backup up to speed quickly. “The shop guys worked on it all week long while the seven teams stayed focused on the primary car,” he explained. “There were a few parts and pieces that we transferred from the primary car, but just super proud of the effort that went into it.” Allgaier performed at a high level despite his forced starting position at the back because the team took extra care to make essential tweaks, like adding the right spring combinations and making sure every component was up to specs.

After the first run on the backup car, the team dialed in the splitter, skirt height, and car balance to closely match the original setup. Although a minor adjustment was needed to reduce tightness in the center, the car performed remarkably well. In the Championship race, drivers need every tiny bit of performance from the car. However, whenever they switch to a backup car, there is a sense of uneasiness and tension that they may carry. However, JRR planned ahead and it certainly helped Allgaier.  This was thanks to every JR Motorsports employee who “laid their hands on that car,” as Jim put it. Behind the scenes, JR Motorsports’ championship success was underscored by seamless teamwork. It proved that dedication can make all the difference.

Justin Allgaier needed a backup car after crashing his primary No. 7 car into the wall during Friday’s practice session. Having to start from the back had put Allgaier at a significant disadvantage right from the start. Despite his frustration, Allgaier quickly refocused, determined to win his first NASCAR Xfinity Series championship.

Why Was The Championship Win So Significant for JR Motorsport? 

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Throughout the race, Justin Allgaier faced multiple obstacles. This included a tire issue near the end of Stage 2 and two separate penalties—one for a restart violation and another for speeding on pit road—that put him a lap down. Nevertheless, he didn’t give up. He chose an alternative pit strategy to get back in the race. He surged to the front in the closing laps, eventually finishing second after a nail-biting overtime. Although Riley Herbst edged him out for the race win, Allgaier’s perseverance brought JR Motorsports the 2024 Xfinity Series championship.

The 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship was won by Allgaier for JR Motorsports last Saturday at Phoenix Raceway. Having been close to winning for years, this was his first championship. JR Motorsports also made history with this victory. They tied Joe Gibbs Racing for the third-most Xfinity Series titles in series history by winning their fourth. They boosted their reputation as a competitive team and their standing among top teams as well. Despite several strong seasons, JR Motorsports had never won the Xfinity Series owner championship, this was the first.

Following his first Xfinity title, Allgaier felt a wave of relief wash over him. “I’ve been doing this a long time, and these people standing around me. There’s no words. The whole Brent crew…all of our partners…what an engine this weekend. Chevrolet–it is understated what they have done. My wife and my kids, they’ve given up so much of me to do this job. God’s good … He’s got a reason for everything and tonight is truly that. It’s mind-blowing.”

With this dual championship, both the driver and the owner had extra responsibility. Co-owner Kelley Earnhardt recounted the tense race to victory and expressed genuine shock at the comeback, saying at one point, “This is over for us.” JRM won thanks to Justin Allgaier’s tenacity and a well-prepared backup car. Everyone from Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt to their crew put in years of work to win.