Beyond the Flag
Fansided

NASCAR: A.J. Allmendinger won’t return to JTG Daugherty Racing in 2019

By Asher Fair

DARLINGTON, SC - SEPTEMBER 01: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #47 Kroger ClickList Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 1, 2018 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
DARLINGTON, SC - SEPTEMBER 01: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #47 Kroger ClickList Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 1, 2018 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

A.J. Allmendinger will not return to JTG Daugherty Racing as the driver of the #47 Chevrolet in the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season.

A.J. Allmendinger, who has driven for JTG Daugherty Racing since the 2013 NASCAR Cup Series season when he drove the #47 Toyota in nine races, will not return to the team in the 2019 season. He has been the full-time driver of the #47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet since the start of the 2014 season

Allmendinger’s current ride with JTG Daugherty Racing is his first full-time ride in the Cup Series since he was suspended for testing positive for the drug Adderall back in the 2012 season, at which point it was believed by many people that he may never race in NASCAR again.

Here is what JTG Daugherty Racing team owner Tad Geschickter had to say about the 36-year-old Los Gatos, California native being set to leave the team after the 2018 season ends, according to NASCAR.com.

"“AJ Allmendinger has been a valuable asset to the growth of our company, and we are grateful for his professionalism with our brands and the passion he has shown for this race team over the years. As hard as it may be, we’re moving in a different direction for the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season and will be parting ways at the end of this season. It’s not an easy decision and change is never easy. We wish him the very best in his endeavors and he will always be family to us.”"

In 363 career Cup Series starts, of which 181 have taken place during his tenure driving for JTG Daugherty Racing, Allmendinger has earned one victory, 11 top five finishes, 55 top 10 finishes and four pole positions. His lone victory came in the race at Watkins Glen International back in the 2014 season.

More from NASCAR Cup Series

Through 28 races so far this season, Allmendinger has secured one top five finish and three top 10 finishes. His best finish of the season is his third place finish in the July race at Daytona International Speedway.

Allmendinger also finished in eighth in the March race at Martinsville Speedway and 10th in the February race at Daytona International Speedway, the Daytona 500.

Allmendinger failed to qualify for the playoffs and currently sits in 24th in the championship standings. His lone playoff appearance came in the 2014 season as a result of his win in the race at Watkins Glen International.

Next. Top 10 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark

Will A.J. Allmendinger end up returning to the NASCAR Cup Series in the 2019 season? If so, for which team will he drive? Which driver will JTG Daugherty Racing sign to replace him behind the wheel of the #47 Chevrolet for next year?

Home/NASCAR Cup Series