Car:
Number 84 Toyota
Team:
Red Bull Racing
Sponsor:
Red Bull Energy Drink
Birthdate:
December 16, 1981
Rookie Season:
Entered NEXTEL Cup in 2007 with the Red Bull Racing team. A.J. is a rookie driver with a brand new team trying to tame a brand new car as this is also Toyota's first season in NEXTEL Cup.
A.J. is struggling as Toyota struggles. Both are mostly just trying to make the race each week to gain some valuable experience.
Career Highlights:
2004 - Champ Car Rookie of the Year
2005 - Won five races and finished third in Champ Car series points
2007 - First career NEXTEL Cup start (March Bristol race)
Steep Hill To Climb:
A.J. Allmendinger has been a winner in many different racing series. However he comes to NASCAR with very little experience in full-bodied cars. This situation is made even more difficult because he is driving for a brand new team and a brand new manufacturer as both Toyota and Team Red Bull are also NEXTEL Cup rookies in 2007.
Allmendinger can be a winner in NASCAR. Before he can win he will need more experience, a more experienced team supporting him and a manufacturer that has worked all of the bugs out of their program. A.J. and his fans will need to be patient with his transition to NASCAR.
