Dale Earnhardt Jr. emotionally reacts to Justin Allgaier qualifying JR Motorsports for Daytona 500
Tonight, Justin Allgaier delivered Dale Eanrhardt Jr. the greatest gift of all, a starting spot in the Great American Race, the Daytona 500! The NASCAR season is going to begin with Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports team in the season-opener.
Justin Allgaier waited until the very end to make his move. He had tried so hard to make a third, outside line work. With two laps to go, it eventually did work.
Now, after a top-10 finish, JR Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are locked into the Daytona 500.
“First off I’m so proud of Justin man,” Earnhardt said, choking up. “He put the whole team on his back those last couple of laps, and he got to the top, and I did not think that was possible, but he got up there and made something work. And it was his only shot and got some help so we’ve got some people to thank.
“Just a great racecar, Greg Ives has put a group together that is motivated. Some special people on this team I’ve worked with all the way back to 1998, but I’ma tell you, man, this sport’s amazing. Everything about it. I’ve seen it from so many different lenses. I love the challenges, I wouldn’t want it any other way. This was hard emotionally, but I can’t believe that we get to race on Sunday. I just can’t believe it!”
Justin Allgaier puts Dale Earnhardt Jr. into Daytona 500
In the last two laps of the first Duel at Daytona tonight, Justin Allgaier made the outside lane work and is locked into the NASCAR Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt Jr. qualifies for his first-ever Daytona 500 as a team owner and is ready to go racing on Sunday.
Bubba Wallace ended up winning the race. Justin Allgaier finshed P9. He had to beat JJ Yeley, Chandler Smith, and Helio Castroneves to advance. He was able to accomplish that and was the top open car in the Duel race.
A massive achievement for JR Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt Jr. They had the right man for the job behind the wheel in Allgaier.
Justin Allgaier tried time and again to get that outside line to work. It was time and time again of Allgaier swinging wide and then being left to dry. For many laps, it looked like Allgaier was going to be overly committed to making that third line work, to his detriment.
JJ Yeley put up a tough fight. He is seemingly never more competitive than when he is racing in these Duel races. Most of all, Dale Earnhardt Jr. got to see his dream realized.
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