Justin Allgaier is winning on Saturdays. On Sundays, he says he feels like he’s failing. The contrast has defined his past month in NASCAR. Allgaier has stepped into the No. 48 car for Hendrick Motorsports while Alex Bowman recovers from vertigo. One day, he is competing for wins. Next, he is fighting to keep up in one of the most competitive fields in racing.
The No. 48 team is trying to stay competitive until Bowman returns, and every race matters.
In a candid interview, Allgaier did not hold back. “I feel like I’m failing at all of it, if I’m being honest with you. You know, the same things that are making us good on Saturday are what’s hurting us on Sunday.”
Justin Allgaier Opens Up on Filling In for Alex Bowman
The results show a clear split. In the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Allgaier has recorded finishes of fourth, first, first, and third while driving for JR Motorsports. In the NASCAR Cup Series, the No. 48 has been stuck in the middle of the pack.
Qualifying has played a major role. In the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, strong results place Allgaier later in the order, where track conditions offer more grip and better pit stalls. In Cup, the No. 48 sits lower in owner points, forcing early qualifying runs and tougher track conditions.
Allgaier pointed to how small the margins are. “Like, last week, I was just three-hundredths off Kyle Larson, my teammate, but that’s the difference of 10-to-15 spots. The one thing that stands out to me, especially with the NextGen car, is just how tight the times are, and it’s really a credit to the guys who jump back and forth and have success in both cars.”
Justin Allgaier Balances O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Success and Cup Struggles
The workload has been heavy. Allgaier is managing responsibilities across two teams, with constant meetings and preparation.
“I’m having six or seven meetings a week between the two cars, between video review, sim review, and SMT review. There are some days where I don’t know if my brain even knows how to function.”
Travel has added to the pressure. He has been moving between race shops in Concord and Mooresville several times a week, leaving little time to reset between races.
Alex Bowman’s Absence Puts Focus on No. 48 Team
Allgaier has stayed focused on helping the No. 48 team remain steady while Alex Bowman works toward a return.
“I hope for his sake that Alex is able to get back in soon because that would be a Cinderella story. I would love to see him get back in and those guys click off a few wins right away. That would be fantastic. I don’t know that I’ll get them there, but we’re actively trying. I think my role is just being in the race car every week, keep four fenders on it, and build that momentum for the best version of the 48 team.”
This weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, Allgaier will be back in the car. The short track has often rewarded aggressive driving, and his recent O’Reilly Auto Parts Series form offers some momentum.
For now, the focus remains on consistency. Allgaier continues to manage the workload, keep the car competitive, and support the team until Bowman returns.
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