Allmendinger defeats Hornish to make All-Star race
Allmendinger beat out former Indianapolis 500 winner Sam Hornish, Jr. to win the two-segment, 60-lap event, with the winner and second-place finisher transferring to the star-studded field for the 24th edition of NASCAR’s all star event.
“This is like winning the Daytona 500," said Allmendinger. “I’m looking forward to running the all star race. That was like the most pressure I’ve ever been in, so now I’m just going to go and have some fun."
The victory was a vindication for the 26-year-old driver, who was pulled out of the no. 84 Red Bull Toyota after failing to qualify for the first three races of the season.
“We’ve had such a struggle," said Allmendinger. “I’ve had a struggle, the 84 team has had a struggle, and for us to come through and win this race, it’s the biggest thing that could have happened."
Although Hornish was safely in the field for the all-star race with a second-place finish, he didn’t seem content with the runner-up spot, pulling right up on Allmendinger’s bumper in the final two laps, looking to take the victory for himself.
Hornish smartly backed off in the final turn, saving his car for the all star race.
“I wasn’t going to take any chances unless I got a good run and could get by cleanly," said Hornish. “I wanted to be smart and not waste a chance to get into the All Star race."
David Ragan finished third followed by Brian Vickers. Kasey Kahne finished fifth in the Showdown but won the fan vote to become the 24th and final starter in the all star field.
Allmendinger’s good fortune came at the expense of polesitter Elliott Sadler, after contact early in the event sent Sadler’s no. 19 Dodge Charger hard into the wall, ending what was a promising run for Sadler.
“There’s a reason why (Allmendinger) get taken out of that racecar it seems like every other week," said Sadler. “It’s just a shame – we had a fast race car, and (Allmendinger) just got into us and took us out. I hate it for my guys, they put a lot of effort into coming here and making it into the all star race, and we never even got a chance."
Sadler’s Gillett-Evernham Motorsports teammate Patrick Carpentier brought out the first caution after backing into the wall on lap two. He joined Sadler, Stanton Barrett and Johnny Sauter among the drivers who failed to finish the event. Pete McCole reporting from Lowe's