Our Drivers

Justin Allgaier

Stats

Justin Allgaier returns to NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) competition in 2012, to pilot the No. 31 BRANDT Chevrolet out of the Turner Motorsports stable.  After a successful 2011, where Allgaier notched one win, six top-five and 17 top-10 finishes en route to a third-place finish in the final standings, the young driver is poised for a run at the series championship in 2012. 

Like most NASCAR stars, Allgaier's race car beginnings came at the tender age of five, behind the wheel of a Quarter Midget.  From 1991 to 2002, the kid dubbed "Little Gator" - named for his size and ferociousness behind the wheel - made his way up through the motorsports ranks, collecting trophies and accolades along the way. By age 12, he was a five-time Quarter Midget champion with more than 100 wins to his credit. He transitioned into the Midget and Micro-Sprint car ranks, and chalked up five more wins. At 13, he started his "fendered" car career in the UMP Late Model Series, while continuing his successful Midget runs.

It was in 2001 that Allgaier made a name for himself in the open-wheel ranks, becoming the youngest driver to ever advance to the A-Main at the famed Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla. He continued that year in Late Models, running 51 dirt track races with two wins and 24 top-10 finishes.

Upon turning 16, Allgaier made his debut in the ARCA Racing Series (ARS). In three starts for the team run by family friend and racing legend Ken Schrader, he earned a top finish of 11th. He continued part-time in the series for the next two years, scoring three top-five and five top-10 finishes in 11 starts. Allgaier’s talents took him to New Zealand in 2004, where he represented the U.S.A. in the South Pacific Saloon Car Championship, posting two top-five finishes.

Allgaier’s career went in many different directions in 2005. He made seven ARS starts, producing four top-five and five top-10 finishes. He also earned his first “Pork Pole” award and established a new track record at the Illinois State Fairgrounds dirt track. His sponsor, the United States Air Force, presented the young driver, as well as Allgaier Motorsports, the highly-coveted American Spirit Award. The award is the Air Force Recruiting Service’s highest form of recognition, designed to recognize civilians or civilian organizations that have consistently displayed obvious and continual support and exhibition of patriotism and service to their country.

The 2005 season also marked Allgaier’s entry into NASCAR competition where he made four starts driving for Mike Mittler in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS).

ARS competition became a full-time pursuit for Allgaier in 2006, as he raced in 21 of the 23 events that season and earned a 10th-place finish in the driver championship point standings. His lone win of the year, a dirt-track victory at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, marked the first time in the track’s long history that a local driver won a championship points race at the venue. Of course that wasn’t all for Allgaier, as he competed in three NCWTS races, as well as the 2006 Chili Bowl, where he advanced to the A-Main feature.

The ever-busy Allgaier started 2007 with an impressive Chili Bowl run – third place in the A-Main – where he shared the podium with NASCAR stars and Midget racer legends, Tony Stewart and J.J. Yeley. He raced the full 23-race ARCA Racing Series season and finished fourth in the driver’s championship point standings after notching one win, four top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. In his spare time, he ran 18 UMP Late Model Series races (five wins) and 10 Midget events (three victories).

It was in 2008, at the age of 22, that Allgaier experienced his true breakthrough in racing. In 21 ARCA Racing Series races that season, he collected six victories, 14 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. His last win, the season finale event at Toledo Speedway, earned him the Championship title.

In 2009, he made the move to the NNS in the Penske Racing No. 12 entry. He is credited with three top-five and 12 top-10 finishes, ending the season sixth in the championship point standings and capturing Rookie of the Year honors.

Allgaier returned to the No. 12 car in 2010 and had a breakout season.  He collected his first NNS victory at Bristol Motor Speedway in March and racked up eight top-five and 20 top-10 finishes.  The 24-year-old driver finished a career-best fourth overall in the final championship point standings, which categorized him as the highest finishing series-only regular.

The 2011 season brought changes for Allgaier as he moved to the newly formed Turner Motorsports where he took over the No. 31 Chevrolet, adorned with the colors of new sponsor BRANDT, a professional agriculture company headquartered in Springfield, Ill., just minutes from Allgaier’s native Riverton.  In 2012, Allgaier hopes to improve upon his third-place 2011 finish by bringing home the NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship for BRANDT and Turner Motorsports.