Allmendinger dinged up

AJ Allmendinger qualified second for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 and led a race-high 35 laps, but that was the end of the good news for the driver of the No. 47 JTG/Daugherty Racing Chevrolet.

Contact from Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Chevy sent Allmendinger spinning into the frontstretch wall late in the race, and the resultant damage dropped him to 37th at the finish.

“We led a lot of laps today, and we were good enough to win the thing—no doubt,” Allmendinger said. “It’s just disappointing the way our day ended … and to leave Sonoma with a car that’s torn up.

“I’m proud of my guys and all the hard work they put in this weekend. It’s just tough. We were hoping to bring home a win today for (sponsor) Kingsford and all our partners.”