- AJ Allmendinger qualified ninth for the Ambetter Health 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
- Within the first lap, Allmendinger had taken over seventh place. Under the race’s first caution, Allmendinger reported his No. 16 Modern Day Garage Chevy was free. The team stayed out during the yellow to restart in seventh place. On the first lap green, Allmendinger jumped to fifth place and continued gaining spots, taking over fourth on lap 13. From sixth place on lap 25, Allmendinger reported he lacked rear grip. When the caution came out 10 laps later, Allmendinger told crew chief Alex Yontz that the car was turning well but moving laterally. The No. 16 stayed out under the caution and went on to finish the opening stage in fourth.
- Allmendinger started the second stage in 14th and quickly took 11th on the first lap green. By lap 54, Allmendinger was scored in sixth, and 20 laps later, he took over second place. On lap 78, Allmendinger reported his Chevy was building tight. He went on to finish the second stage in second place. During the stage break, the No. 16 came to pit road for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. The team gained a spot on pit road to restart the final stage from the lead.
- Just as the field took the green flag for the final stage, the caution came out as a car spun while crossing the start/finish line. When the field took the green again on lap 102, Allmendinger maintained the lead. On lap 130, he reported he was starting to build tight. The No. 16 pitted on lap 146 for a scheduled green flag stop, and by lap 152, Allmendinger had cycled back to the lead. The caution came out with 31 laps remaining, and the No. 16 came to pit road for four tires and fuel and restarted in first place with 25 laps to go. The final caution came with seven laps to go. Allmendinger restarted in first place for the green-white-checkered finish and went on to win the race and secure his spot in the Championship 4.
“I absolutely love these guys and girls at Kaulig Racing. Been such up and down, but what I love about them is we stick together, we keep fighting. First of all, happy birthday Matt Kaulig! The boss’ birthday. I told you I was getting you a trophy! Let’s go man!”
– AJ Allmendinger
Kaulig Racing PR
