AJ Allmendinger Reflects on Difficult Race in Atlanta: ‘We Need to Be Better’

AJ Allmendinger has reflected on his challenging race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, admitting that the team needs to do a better job, despite a valiant effort over the weekend.

Racing with the No. 16 Action Industries Camaro ZL1, Allmendinger started in 12th position but faced a tough battle throughout the race, finishing in 14th place after struggling to control his machinery.

For the California native, Atlanta Motor Speedway has been a track of previous success. In 2021, he clinched his first NASCAR Xfinity Series oval victory here, a big jump for the driver who was previously defined by road course wins. This year’s race, however, wasn’t so easy.

More News: Christopher Bell Takes Atlanta Victory In Dramatic Last-Lap Overtake

The race began positively for Allmendinger, positioned in the middle of the pack, but as the laps unfolded, he faced increasing difficulty. Despite the team’s best efforts, his performance was hampered by a challenging car setup.

The car’s handling became a bigger problem, with the driver reporting that the vehicle felt loose during a caution. Crew Chief Trent Owens made attempts to rectify the car’s issues early on by adjusting the nose of the vehicle during the first stage break. However, progress was limited throughout most of the race.

More News: William Byron Fires Back at Daytona 500 “Luck” Critics

Allmendinger said the following via a press release from the team:

“Hard fight all night, just struggled with balance overall. Then when you get back there in traffic, it’s hard to make the right moves.

“I definitely need to be a little bit better making the right moves. I’m proud of the guys; we made a lot of changes to make the car as good as we could.

“We salvaged a decent finish there at the end, but we need to be a little bit better overall.”

For the latest NASCAR news, head over to Newsweek Sports.

NASCAR Cup Series: Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway Results