{"id":5971,"date":"2018-08-27T01:35:24","date_gmt":"2018-08-27T05:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=5971"},"modified":"2018-08-27T01:35:24","modified_gmt":"2018-08-27T05:35:24","slug":"nascar-justin-allgaier-when-nice-guys-finish-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2018\/08\/27\/nascar-justin-allgaier-when-nice-guys-finish-first\/","title":{"rendered":"NASCAR – Justin Allgaier, When Nice Guys Finish First"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are a ton of good people in the world of NASCAR<\/strong>.\u00a0 Oh sure, like anywhere else, you\u2019ll find a few bad apples or perhaps a driver or two that may be a bit moody but in general NASCAR drivers are some of the nicest folks you\u2019ll ever meet.\u00a0 They\u2019re easy to root for.<\/p>\n

Justin Allgaier, When Nice Guys Finish First<\/h1>\n

Saturday afternoon, Xfinity Driver, Justin Allgaier<\/strong> won for the fourth time this season, taking the series point lead away from Christopher Bell.\u00a0 Allgaier, who drives for Jr. Motorsports is having one of his best seasons in racing.\u00a0 The Riverton Illinois native was born in 1986 to Mike and Dorothy Allgaier who both have a passion for racing.\u00a0 Justin\u2019s wife Ashley and their daughter Harper are often at the track on race day.\u00a0 For the Allgaier\u2019s, it is a family affair.<\/p>\n

I first had an opportunity to talk with Justin Allgaier several years ago in the garage area of Pocono Raceway<\/strong>.\u00a0 I\u2019ve chatted with dozens of NASCAR drivers and sat in on numerous press conferences.\u00a0 The thing that strikes me about Allgaier is he is just that unique kind of man who makes you feel like he\u2019s your friend immediately.<\/p>\n

That first by chance meeting was near the NASCAR hauler in the garage area.\u00a0 Justin was sitting in a chair resting a bit prior to getting into his car for a practice.\u00a0 He immediately stuck up a conversation and we talked about racing.\u00a0 Just basic stuff, his favourite tracks, his experiences with different people and places.<\/p>\n

I remember thinking to myself at the time how easy and thoughtful and friendly that entire conversation had been. \u00a0Never having met the man before, the conversation felt much like one I would have with a good friend.<\/p>\n

Allgaiers Make Racing a Family Affair<\/h2>\n

Since that first chance meeting, I always make an effort to find Justin at the track during the race weekend.\u00a0 Often I will see his Dad Mike as well and if you talk to Mike, you\u2019ll understand where his son got his demeanour.\u00a0 If you look up the word \u201cclass\u201d in the dictionary you might very well find a picture of the Allgaier family.<\/p>\n

Allgaier\u2019s ride in the Cup Series was never well funded and the results were never good.\u00a0 Sometimes no matter how talented the person behind the wheel is, if the car is slow, the results are poor.\u00a0 Eventually, Allgaier would leave his ride for HScott Motorsports<\/strong> and head back down to the Xfinity race.\u00a0 His move to Jr. Motorsports<\/strong> has rejuvenated his career.\u00a0 \u00a0Through the good times, and the bad, his disposition has not changed one iota.<\/p>\n

Justin\u2019s victory this weekend at Road America has solidified his place among the top contenders for the Xfinity Series<\/strong> Championship.\u00a0 It should also get the attention of a potential move back up to the Monster Energy Cup Series level.<\/p>\n

A couple of seasons ago at Watkins Glen International<\/strong>, I asked Allgaier about running on the road courses and the challenges that they present.\u00a0 He had a huge smile on his face and replied that he absolutely loved running on the road courses.<\/p>\n

Why?\u00a0 \u201cBecause not a lot of us know what the heck we are doing.\u00a0 That makes it fun\u201d,<\/em> he responded.<\/p>\n

Fast forward a few seasons and it appears that Allgaier has figured out the road courses.\u00a0 Talented drivers with good cars usually do that. Later on, that weekend, as I was watching part of the race from a location at The Glen known as the Esses, I looked back at the last row of the grandstand and saw Mike\u00a0Allgaier<\/strong> with a radio in his hand, spotting for his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love it when Dad spots for me.\u00a0 He has a calming influence on me when things start to get hot\u201d,<\/em> Justin told me later that day.<\/p>\n

The Last Word<\/h2>\n

There are so many stories today of athletes gone wild.\u00a0 Drugs, arrest, domestic abuse and the like are a frequent occurrence in today\u2019s sports world.\u00a0 NASCAR is fortunate to have plenty of good people in the sport.\u00a0 That said, if there were a Hall of Fame for good guys from good families, I\u2019m guessing there\u2019d be a plaque with Justin Allgaier\u2019s picture on it.<\/p>\n

Today as you look atop the point standings for NASCAR’s Xfinity Series you’ll see Justin Allgaier atop that list.\u00a0 Nice guys rarely win in sports.\u00a0 When they do it\u2019s a special moment.\u00a0 Saturday afternoon was a special moment.<\/p>\n

Thanks for reading.\u00a0 Listen to WTBQ radio on Monday and Friday mornings at 8:45 as I join Frank, Taylor and the Morning Show gang to discuss all the current happenings in NASCAR.\u00a0 1110AM 93.5FM or online at WTBQ.COM.\u00a0 You can also follow me on twitter @JimLaplante<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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