The NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) made its second and final stop of the season at Richmond International Raceway (RIR) for the final Friday night race of 2013. Allgaier came to the 0.75-mile track looking for redemption after an accident relegated him to a 31st-place finish in the spring race. The weekend began with the one and only practice session on Friday morning. Allgaier ran a total of 89 laps in the session and finished eighth on the practice chart. Following practice, Allgaier qualified the No. 31 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet in the 13th position for the Virginia529 College Savings 250. Just a little over halfway through the 250-lap race, Allgaier lost control of his No. 31 BRANDT Chevy Camaro and spun on the track. After a great effort by Allgaier and his No. 31 team, he was able to bring the No. 31 BRANDT Chevrolet home to an 11th-place finish for Turner Scott Motorsports.
Allgaier took the green flag on Friday night under the cool air at RIR for the Virginia529 College Savings 250. Allgaier quickly made his way up to the 11th position when the first caution of the race came out at lap 16. Crew chief Scott Zipadelli told Allgaier to stay out on the track. He restarted 11thon lap 19 and radioed on lap 35 that he needed more grip after slipping back to the 14th position. After settling into a rhythm and logging laps, Allgaier was posting lap times faster than the leader. On lap 68, the second caution of the race came out and Allgaier reported he was loose in, tight in the center and free off. Allgaier came down pit road for Sunoco fuel, four Goodyear tires and adjustments on the BRANDT Chevrolet Camaro. Allgaier restarted in the 12th position on lap 73 and worked his way up to ninth by lap 76.
After settling into the 10th position on lap 100, Allgaier logged laps in his BRANDT Chevrolet until lap 132 when he had just been passed by a few competitors and lost control of his Chevy Camaro, spinning in Turn 3. Allgaier made slight contact with the wall, causing damage to the rear quarter panel and bringing out the third caution of the night. Allgaier brought his No. 31 BRANDT Chevy down pit road for fuel, tires, adjustments and a quick repair to the quarter panel. Allgaier restarted in the 22nd position on lap 138 and consistently worked his way up through the field. The fourth caution of the night came out on lap 173 and Allgaier was in the 15th position. During the caution, he came down pit road for tires, fuel and adjustments. After he restarted in the 15th position, Allgaier consistently worked his way up through the field, and at lap 217 he was in the eighth position. At lap 231, the fifth caution of the night came out and Allgaier came down pit road for fuel and four tires. He restarted 11th on lap 234, and the yellow flag quickly flew again at lap 236 putting Allgaier in the 13th position for the restart on lap 239. At lap 241 the seventh and final caution flag of the race waved setting up the final restart of the 250-lap race on lap 244. With just a few laps remaining, Allgaier was able to power his No. 31 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet up to the 11th position and take the checkered flag. With Allgaier’s 11th-place finish Saturday night at RIR, he’s currently fifth in the NNS Driver Point Standings.
“Overall it was a great night for Turner Scott Motorsports and our BRANDT Camaro,” said Allgaier. “I made a mistake and spun out about halfway through the race and killed our momentum. Track position was really important tonight, but it was a solid day and we can go on to Chicago next week. It will be a big week there since it’s my home track and BRANDT’s as well. I’m really looking forward to returning home.”
The NNS heads to Chicagoland Speedway Saturday, September 14 for the Dollar General 300 powered by Coca-Cola. Television coverage is on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m. EDT.
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