CONCORD, N.C. – The No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet will have a different driver behind the wheel for practice and qualifying at this week’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
The good news is, there’s plenty of familiarity with the fill-in.
Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevy in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, will substitute for Kyle Larson, who will be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway testing and qualifying for the upcoming Indianapolis 500. Larson is taking a second crack at running the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day as part of his #H1100 efforts. In addition to serving as the practice and qualifying driver for the No. 5 team, Allgaier will also be on standby as the reserve driver for the All-Star Race and next week's Coca-Cola 600.
Weather affected Larson’s first attempt at the #H1100 a year ago and it was Allgaier who started the Coca-Cola 600 in the No. 5 while Larson made his way back to Charlotte from Indianapolis. That prior familiarity makes this week’s adjustment a little easier for the team and the driver.
“We’re fortunate to have Justin and we appreciate him stepping in to help,” said Cliff Daniels, crew chief for the No. 5 team. “He and Kyle are very similar in size, so there’s a lot in the cockpit that’s common between the two.”
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Allgaier also serves as a driver for Chevrolet in the wheel-force program, used to gather data during test sessions.
“I think that serves him well and it serves us well,” Daniels continued. “He’s had some time in the simulator driving the track and he did the wheel-force test there a year ago, so he’s got some experience in the Cup car at North Wilkesboro. We’re looking to put in a solid practice and make sure the car drives good.”
Practice for Sunday’s main event is set for Friday evening at 5:05 p.m. Qualifying for the All-Star Heat races will be held two hours later at 7:05.
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As for how Allgaier’s feedback will affect Daniels’ decisions when it comes to car set up, Daniels said the team will go into the weekend with a general plan revolving around the expected changes in the 0.625-mile short track. However, Allgaier’s thoughts will be important as well toward the car Larson ultimately sits in come race time on Sunday night.
“I think no matter what there’s going to be a general progression of balance from Friday through Sunday,” Daniels said. “The track is going to take more rubber. Friday, the groove is going to be a bit more narrow and Sunday I think it’s going to open up a bit. So, there’s still some changes regardless of Justin or Kyle that we would plan to progress through throughout the weekend.
“At the end of the day, I just want to make sure Justin is comfortable in what he feels and he, of course, trusts the feedback he’s going to give us. If there’s something he can provide to us to make the car faster, we’re going to listen. We’re going to do those little things and then we’re going to kind of stick to a little bit of what we think the track is going to evolve through, throughout the weekend.”
Where is the NASCAR All-Star Race?
The NASCAR All-Star Race will be held at North Wilkesboro Speedway
NASCAR All-Star Race schedule
Friday, May 16
- 5:05 p.m. - Cup Series practice
- 6:10 - NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge/qualifying
Saturday, May 17
- 1:30 p.m. - NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race
- 5:20 - Cup Series, All-Star Race Heat 1
- 6:15 - Cup Series, All-Star Race Heat 2
Sunday, May 18
- 5:30 p.m. - Cup Series, All-Star Open
- 8 - Cup Series All-Star Race