Third start in a Ford yields third top-15 finish for AJ Allmendinger
By Lee Montgomery - Associate Editor
Sunday, November 22, 2009
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HOMESTEAD, Fla. – The switch to Ford seems to have suited Richard Petty Motorsports driver AJ Allmendinger. After finishing 10th and 13th in his first two NASCAR Sprint Cup races in a Fusion, Allmendinger was 10th in the Ford 400 on Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
As part of a proposed merger with Yates Racing, RPM plans to switch to Fords for 2010. To get a jump on next year, the team put Allmendinger in a No. 44 Ford for the final three races of this season.
“I’m just proud of everybody on the 44 team to get two top-10s and three top-15s in three races,” Allmendinger said. “That’s good. I wish we could’ve had this all year. It was a lot of fun. I thank Ford for allowing this to happen, and everybody that sponsored this 44 car to keep us going, and I’m looking forward to next year.”
Allmendinger, sporting a paint scheme that team co-owner Richard Petty used during his career, started 13th but ran in the top 10 for most of Sunday’s 267-lap race.
“We just worked on it,” Allmendinger said. “It seemed like we got a bad set of tires one time. We didn’t change anything, and then put another set of tires on and one adjustment and we were fast again. Other than that, we just kept picking them off. I wish our car had been just a little stronger late, like 10 laps to go on our tires. It really started to fade there, but I’m proud of everybody.”
Team co-owner Richard Petty was proud of his driver and his new manufacturer.
“It’s been good,” Petty said of Allmendinger’s switch. “Hopefully, this is just what’s in the future for us with Ford because he stepped up about six, eight positions by just getting into a Ford. So, hopefully, in the future, we’ll be able to make it even better.”
Both Petty and Allmendinger are clearly looking forward to the 2010 season.
“We don’t go in completely blind, just partly blind,” Petty said. “At least we’ve got a little bit of experience with it. It helps the driver and the crew, and they’ll be able to translate it better to the rest of the crew.”
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12 responses to "Third start in a Ford yields third top-15 finish for AJ Allmendinger". Post a Comment.
Andi said:
Nov 23, 2009 at 2:21 AMHopefully this will continue into next year with Petty going to all Fords. AJ's had really good finishes in them lately, and I like to see it continue into next year.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportrpmfan said:
Nov 23, 2009 at 5:18 AMDinger, you da man. Hope this continues next year, maybe we'll see Dinger in the chase!!!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportrichardclower said:
Nov 23, 2009 at 11:26 AMWay to go Allmendrinker!!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportKaseyk9k said:
Nov 23, 2009 at 4:10 PMLol. That's a new one but AJ will be better then Sorenson so they made the right choice. Now they need to drop Sadler and save some money. AJ will be top twenty next year no doubt.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportkimba9 said:
Nov 23, 2009 at 4:11 PMGG AJ was surprised to see you up there, not that you couldn't, just was not paying much attention! Hope this is an omen about next year.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdtk1952 said:
Nov 23, 2009 at 7:36 PMWay to go Dinger. Hope to see you get the Championship one of these years. It looks like Red Snot did you a favor by throwing you under the bus because they wanted Scott No Speed. Keep the fire burning AJ.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportnascarnutsheeler said:
Nov 23, 2009 at 9:28 PMCongrats AJ see what happens when you climb into a Ford. Good going Guy.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjbbigrod said:
Nov 24, 2009 at 1:58 AMBeen closely watching AJ the past three races; and he sure has done a lot better in the Fords. Who knows, maybe Casey will do better to, IF he doesn't defect too soon.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjbbigrod said:
Nov 24, 2009 at 1:59 AMPS: I meant Kasey.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportxbrownsx said:
Nov 24, 2009 at 3:06 AMA Petty Ford? Doesn't even sound right. No, this merger will fizzle quickly for RPM, he'll realize he's been duped.
Report as AbuseLet's see Kahne, Menard and AJ in the CHASE next year, then I'll change my mind about this "merger".
Clearly, though, Petty must place two cars in the Chase next year, to justify his bolting from DODGE and his loyal fans.
Petty is desperate though. Unlike Hendrick, RCR, Penske who know how to make their signature cars run better.
Ford had three wins this year - WOW. Of course the magic dust will be sprinkled on the new Fords in 2010 -- Paul Menard will win the Daytona 500 in February in the #98...
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjbbigrod said:
Nov 24, 2009 at 12:32 PMYou COULD be right XBrown; it isn't the fastest that wins the Daytona 500. Just like any restrictor plate track, it is being in the right place at the right time. Heck a Dodge may even win it. But Menard is very good at restrictor plate tracks, so who knows.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportgrumpyjim52 said:
Nov 24, 2009 at 3:11 PMThey should have switched to Ford earlier in the season, much better performance.
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