Kyle Larson Fails to Rival Max Verstappen as Dale Jr.’s Veteran Steals His 2024 Thunder

Kyle Larson cannot catch a break. After winning six races in 2024, the Hendrick Motorsports driver failed to make the Championship 4 last year despite his unparalleled dominance in the NASCAR Cup Series. While the debate for supremacy rages on after the California native claimed he was a better “all-around driver” driver than Max Verstappen, an unlikely hero has emerged from the shadows.

JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier, who won the Xfinity Series in 2024, was the recipient of the prestigious Richard Petty Driver of the Year award presented by the NMPA! After coming agonizingly close for years, the 38-year-old finally had his moment to shine last year in NASCAR’s second tier.

Justin Allgaier is being given credit where it’s due

It was a long coming. Justin Allgaier has been competing in the Xfinity Series for over a decade and finished in the top five of the driver’s standing a staggering ten times before the 2024 campaign. The No. 7 Chevy racer was runner-up in 2023 to Max Verstappen, narrowly missing out on silverware despite securing four wins across 33 races. With redemption at stake, the veteran finally broke his winless streak in the competition, showing great consistency with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team.

Justin Allgaier’s consistency has finally been rewarded. The Illinois native was recognized as the Richard Petty Driver of the Year presented by the National Motorsports Press Association. With two wins and ten top-five results to his name, the JR Motorsports racer pulled off several clutch performances in 2024, making use of his vast experience in the Xfinity Series to secure some memorable finishes at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Phoenix Raceway.

Kyle Larson will be feeling hard done by. The Hendrick Motorsports driver was the most dominant Cup Series racer in 2024, winning six races with his No. 5 Chevy. However, the California native fell short in the controversial playoff format and failed to break into the Championship 4 at ‘the desert oddball’. If ‘Yung Money’ would have broken Team Penske’s dominance by winning the Bill France Cup last year, it’s well within the realm of possibility that he would have won the prestigious honor instead.

Few drivers have dominated Formula 1 the way Max Verstappen has in the last few years. The Dutchman won the Richard Petty Driver of the Year award after winning his third consecutive World Championship, winning 19 out of 22 races in 2023. Just like last year, Justin Allgaier was voted upon by the NMPA press membership, who chose to recognize the veteran racer for the prestigious honor that has been presented annually since 1969.

Dale Jr. explains Allgaier’s selection for the Daytona 500

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JR Motorsports is on the verge of making history. Dale Earnhardt Jr’s team will be making its debut in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025 with a one-off appearance at the season-opening Daytona 500. Reigning Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier has been selected to drive the No. 40 Chevy for the landmark event after the team partnered with Grammy award-winning artist Chris Stapleton’s Traveller Whiskey, who will sponsor the car.

Explaining why Justin Allgaier was chosen for the Cup Series appearance, Dale Earnhardt Jr. said, “We are going to have Justin Allgaier driver the car. When we sat down and really thought about it, one of the things that I appreciate about Justin is, not only is he fast, and not only has he helped us — had a lot of success here at JR Motorsports, but his professionalism off the race track, with our partners. He does a great job with his crew. Engaging with his team. Keeps a solid attitude, outside of the car and inside the car.”

It seems like after years of struggle, Justin Allgaier is finally getting the recognition he deserves. The Illinois native has a fair bit of experience in the Cup Series, having completed two full seasons at the highest level with HScott Motorsports a decade ago. This time around, the 38-year-old will be feeling more confident going into ‘The Great American Race’, having evolved as a driver over the years to become a force to be reckoned with. Will the veteran be able to repay Dale Jr.’s faith at the crown jewel event? Time will tell.