Justin Allgaier has always been a cheerful person, even bordering on happy-go-lucky, but now that he’s a champion in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, there’s something entirely different about the demeanor of the 39-year-old father of two, as the series returns to Phoenix for Championship Weekend.
The native of Riverton, Illinois, is back at the one-mile racetrack in Avondale, Arizona, looking to defend his title as NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion. To accomplish that feat, he will have to finish higher than JR Motorsports teammates Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil, and Richard Childress Racing’s Jesse Love.
Now, Allgaier has the advantage of experience in this particular situation, having been to the Championship 4 a whopping seven times before, while Zilisch, Kvapil, and Love are all experiencing the pressure-packed situation for the first time.
But, while his three adversaries in the championship fight seem to be laser-focused on the task at hand, the 28-time NASCAR Xfinity Series race-winner genuinely doesn’t seem to exhibit any level of stress or concern whatsoever.
Allgaier reflected on the up-and-down journey that brought him a long-awaited Xfinity Series championship, while documenting what appears to have been a come-to-Jesus moment for the veteran of the second-tier series during last November’s Championship Race.
“I think for me, the way last year went with the crash in practice, the penalties, everything we went through, I was torn out of frame, I didn’t know how to comprehend all of it,” said Allgaier. “That last run, before the caution came out, was probably the most freeing 60 or 70 laps of my entire career because I sat there, in that moment of ‘I’m almost two laps down, I’ve got no shot at winning the championship, how do I become okay with this?’. You think about these things as a driver, and also not make a mistake at the same time, and whenever the caution comes out, you flip that switch.”
It was that green-flag run in the middle of last year’s championship race, where it had become increasingly obvious to Allgaier that his chances of hoisting a trophy on the main stage would have to wait another year, that changed the driver of the No. 7’s mindset heading into his 16th season of NASCAR Xfinity Series competition.
Of course, little did he know that the cautions would fall perfectly and allow for a one-of-a-kind drive through the pack and into position to clinch an extremely popular championship triumph.
Now, as Allgaier returns to the hallowed grounds where he was given the permanent title of “NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion”, his mindset is completely different and filled with excitement, for what the series veteran believes should be an amazing battle between four deserving championship contenders.
“Me, personally, I’m in this completely different mindset in 2025 than I’ve ever been, and I don’t know if that makes me dangerous or dumb, I think a little bit of both,” Allgaier joked. “But, I really am excited for this weekend, and no matter who wins this, there is no undeserving champion in this group. I’m super proud of the series and where we’re at, and pumped up to see where it goes.”
It’s a stressful time for many, but Allgaier’s veteran prowess and experience should give him a leg up as he fights three youngsters for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship on Saturday (7:30 PM ET on The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90).
