FOX Sports Exclusive
Allmendinger moves past Shootout setback
AJ Allmendinger eyes his Daytona 500 car.
Share This Story
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.
At least he still has a sense of humor about things.
GET READY
NASCAR Sprint Cup racing at Dover International Speedway is almost here! Tune in to FOX on Sunday for live coverage starting at 12:30 p.m. ET.
AJ Allmendinger is the newest driver to the Penske Racing arsenal this season, but the NASCAR Sprint Cup driver has already enjoyed team owner Roger Penske’s birthday. Unfortunately, that fell on the day of the Budweiser Shootout this year – a race that didn’t go all that well for Allmendinger.
After already being involved in a crash in practice for the Daytona 500 earlier in the week, a crash also involving teammate Brad Keselowski, Allmendinger was recovering nicely with a solid run in the non-points Shootout. But his luck ended late in the race when he was caught up in the crash sparked with less than two laps remaining.
That wasn’t quite the birthday present he had envisioned for his team owner.
“A couple of wrecked race cars from the weekend,” he said when asked what he gave Penske. “All right. Sweet. Happy birthday to you, Roger. Not the present we wanted to give him. … It’s just like I tell everybody else in my life, just nothing but love. That’s what I got him.”
Still, Allmendinger is clearly already impressed with his team owner and his hands-on approach to the organization.
“It is kind of funny though, he called me on his birthday,” Allmendinger said. “To me, that shows me just how impressive Roger Penske is. He’s out on vacation on his birthday with his family, supposed to be relaxing, and he’s texting me. I’m sure he’s doing the same to Brad and the rest of the race team. He was telling me he’s sorry that he wasn’t at the Shootout.
“Hopefully we put last week behind us and all the wrong places that we put in and have accidents.”
Clearly, Allmendinger has put the incident behind him and is focusing on Thursday's Gatorade Duels and the upcoming Daytona 500.
Still, when pressed further, he admitted that he didn’t exactly get his owner anything for his 75th birthday.
“What do you get someone that has everything?” he said.
More Stories From Rea White
Trending Now
-
Report: UFC Octagon vixen arrested
Report: UFC Octagon vixen Arianny Celeste arrested. -
Report: Vick event sparks backlash
A seemingly innocuous visit from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick caused ... -
Dario Franchitti wins 2012 Indy 500
Dario Franchitti holds off late charge, wins third Indy 500. -
Franchitti wins Indy 500
Review all the details from this year's big race. -
No way Celtics can hang with Heat
Celtics advance to East finals, but Heat have nothing to worry about.
NASCAR Videos
Highlights: Coca-Cola 600
Posted: May 28, 2012
Watch highlights of the Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte. Kasey Kahne took the check...
Watch highlights of the Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte. Kasey Kahne took the check...
NASCAR on FOX: Kahne cruises to 1st
Posted: May 28, 2012
NASCAR on FOX talks with Kasey Kahne after his victory in Charlotte.
NASCAR on FOX talks with Kasey Kahne after his victory in Charlotte.
NASCAR on FOX: Kahne stays consistent
Posted: May 28, 2012
Chris Myers and Michael Waltrip recap Kasey Kahne's win at Charlotte.
Chris Myers and Michael Waltrip recap Kasey Kahne's win at Charlotte.
NASCAR Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Gordon Black Low Rider Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Jeff_Gordon/browse/featuredproduct/603017/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_603000/ff_603017_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | Jeff Gordon Black Low Rider Adjustable Hat |
| Joey Logano Orange Exhaust Flames Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Joey_Logano/browse/featuredproduct/603115/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_603000/ff_603115_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | Joey Logano Orange Exhaust Flames Adjustable Hat |
| Checkered Flag Juan Pablo Montoya Red Exhaust Flames Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Juan_Pablo_Montoya/browse/featuredproduct/603117/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_603000/ff_603117_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | Checkered Flag Juan Pablo Montoya Red Exhaust Flames Adjustable Hat |
| Dale Earnhardt Jr. Royal Blue Exhaust Flames Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dale_Earnhardt_Jr/browse/featuredproduct/616723/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_616000/ff_616723_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. Royal Blue Exhaust Flames Adjustable Hat |
| Chase Authentics Jeff Burton Holiday Driver T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Jeff_Burton/browse/featuredproduct/731363/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_731000/ff_731363_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Chase Authentics Jeff Burton Holiday Driver T-Shirt - Black |
| Chase Authentics Jeff Burton 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Jeff_Burton/browse/featuredproduct/731374/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_731000/ff_731374_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Chase Authentics Jeff Burton 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black |
| Chase Authentics Kevin Harvick 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Kevin_Harvick/browse/featuredproduct/731378/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_731000/ff_731378_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Chase Authentics Kevin Harvick 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black |
| Chase Authentics Matt Kenseth 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Matt_Kenseth/browse/featuredproduct/731380/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_731000/ff_731380_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Chase Authentics Matt Kenseth 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black |
| Chase Authentics Kyle Busch 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Kyle_Busch/browse/featuredproduct/731381/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_731000/ff_731381_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Chase Authentics Kyle Busch 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black |
| Chase Authentics Denny Hamlin 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Denny_Hamlin/browse/featuredproduct/786305/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_786000/ff_786305_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Chase Authentics Denny Hamlin 2012 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Black |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.