It’s not a big surprise, but Phoenix Racing has confirmed this morning that they’ve crossed the T’s, dotted the I’s, and made things official with Sprint Cup rookie Justin Allgaier.
Allgaier, one of eight drivers that will contend for this year’s Rookie of the Year title in the Cup Series, will drive the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet. Agriculture retail/manufacturing company Brandt will back Allgaier and the No. 51 for 21 races, continuing their partnership with the Illinois native into a fourth season.
“This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I intend to make the most of it,” Allgaier said in a team statement. “I am very grateful to [team owner] Harry Scott and Brandt for having faith in me to compete against the best drivers in the world.”
Allgaier finished a solid fifth in last year’s NASCAR Nationwide Series standings driving the No. 31 Turner Scott Motorsports Chevrolet, posting one pole, six Top-5s, and 16 Top-10s. He also made his first four Sprint Cup starts with Phoenix during the 2013 Chase, turning in a top finish of 24th at Talladega.
Now he becomes a key part of Phoenix Racing’s drive to not only improve its performance but achieve some stability as well after using 12 different drivers last season – a group that included several other 2014 Rookie of the Year contenders such as Kyle Larson (Chip Ganassi Racing), Austin Dillon (Richard Childress Racing), and Ryan Truex (BK Racing).
“Justin has worked extremely hard to get to this level and he is ready to take the next step,” Scott said. “Working with competition director and crew chief Steve Addington, I think the No. 51 can turn some heads this year.”
Also looking forward to moving up to Cup is Brandt, who will combine on the No. 51 with multiple other agriculture-centric sponsors such as the National FFA to create what it calls “the only true Ag-focused car” in NASCAR’s top category.
“We are proud to help field the ‘Ag’ car,” said Brandt company president and CEO Rick Brandt. “This is an effort to raise awareness and build a positive reputation for agriculture of all kinds. We believe passionately that agriculture is the essential industry and we’re doing our part to get that message out.”
The team release also lists former Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte to run “several” races in Phoenix’s No. 52 Chevrolet this year, including next month’s season-opening Daytona 500.