AJ Allmendinger wins Pennzoil 150 pole award for third straight season

Three years on the Indy Road Course and three NASCAR Xfinity Series pole awards for AJ Allmendinger. There are few things as inevitable as Allmendinger on the pole for the Indy Road Course. He will try to replicate the feat in the Cup Series later today.

AJ Allmendinger was great in practice on the wet tires, then he was even better on the slicks in qualifying. Over the last few years, it has become clear how important this race is for Allmendinger and Kaulig.

They might do things a different way in that organization, but if it produces results like this then it is hard to argue against.

Fast in practice.

Fast in qualifying.@AJDinger wins the pole at @IMS! pic.twitter.com/Aix3z2UHw7

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) August 12, 2023

This season, AJ Allmendinger already has two Xfinity Series wins. He was the winner last season at this Indy Road Course race and finished P2 back in 2021. Allmendinger is known for his road course prowess and he loves to show it off whenever he can in the Xfinity Series.

While all of his Xfinity success is great, he’s still in the hunt for the Cup Series playoffs. The Indy Road Course gives him ample opportunity to make it happen. Let’s not forget he won the Cup Series race in 2021 at this configuration. He might have another sneaky win up his sleeve.

There are a number of road course ringers in the race this weekend, so it won’t be as easy as it seems. Allmendinger will have unusual competition if he wants to make the most of his Cup Series start.

AJ Allmendinger pivots to Cup Series qualifying

This is going to be a whirlwind weekend for Allmendinger. Xfinity Series practice started around 9:50 this morning. From there he qualified and won the pole. About an hour after that, he’s back in the Cup Series No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevy and is back on the track. The Cup and Xfinity cars are vastly different, but perhaps Allmendinger learned a new thing or two out there.

Shane van Gisbergen might be the toughest competition that AJ Allmendinger will face. Of course, he has to be able to outrace the Cup regulars. However, the Chicago Street Course winner makes his return and he’s looking for another checkered flag.

Let’s not forget that Kamui Kobayashi is suiting up for 23XI Racing. And Brodie Kostecki for Richard CHildress Racing. Oh yeah, Jenson Button and Mike Rockenfeller are making their return as well to NASCAR. So, things could get very interesting in the Verizon 200.

With the Xfinity Series pole wrapped up, what can we expect from AJ Allmendinger this weekend on the Cup Series side?