But the JTG Daugherty Racing driver also knows that nobody associated with his race tram is satisfied with making the championship Chase.
“We’re
contenders because we’re here and we’ve got a shot at it,” he insisted. “But
I’m also not blind to the fact that if you set myself against Jimmie, he’s favored.
I understand that.”
In
fact, Allmendinger said he and his team are motivated by the lack of respect
afforded them by some observers.
“Vegas…
made odds for 14 drivers, then me and Almirola were just ‘The Field’ for the
championship,” he he laughed. “There were 14 names with odds and then ‘The
Field’ at 500 to 1.
“I
understand it,” said the former Champ Car and Indy Car star. “I relish it,
honestly. I like being the underdog team. Tad and Jodi started this team in a
barn in ’94, so they’ve always been an underdog. I don’t take offense to it, I
just smile and say, ‘I like being under the radar.’ Hopefully, we can go make
some noise and make some guys mad by knocking them out of the Chase.”
The
opening “Challenger Round” of this year’s Chase includes races at Chicagoland,
New Hampshire and Dover Speedways. At Chicagoland, Allmendinger has recorded
Top-20 finishes in four of his five career starts, with a pair of 13th-place
showings; one of them coming last season. New Hampshire provided a Top-10
finish in 2010, but otherwise has been one of Allmendinger’s weakest
statistical tracks. At Dover, he qualified second and led 143 laps for Richard
Petty Motorsports in the fall of 2010, before fading to 10th at the
finish. He has also had other strong runs on the Monster Mile in the past,
without being able to see them through to the checkered flag.
“We’ve
just got to be at our best,” he said. “I look at a race like Dover (and) depending
on how the first two (races) have run… if we have to win it to stay in it, then
(we’ll) start taking some chances.
“We’ve
got to be as close to perfect as possible.”
GO AJ!!!
ReplyDeleteDinger
ReplyDeleteThe fans respect you more than you know.
I think AJ is one of the most likable guys in the garage. I am glad he got his life turned around and wish him only more success!
ReplyDeleteNo lack of respect for AJ, Lack of resources for the team unless RCR decides to lend a bigger supporting hand during the chase. AJ's talent is obvious. I look for him to go out in the first round, sorry AJ, not a lack or respect.....the car hasn't shown the speed or consistency. The driver has shown grit and determination. I hope I have to eat these words later.
ReplyDelete