Allmendinger on Sonoma DNF: ‘It’s on me’

A deflated A.J. Allmendinger stood in the garage area at Sonoma Raceway Sunday, knowing a strong day was wiped away because of driver error.

Allmendinger started fifth in the Toyota/Save Mart 350. The JTG-Daugherty Racing driver led five laps and captured the win in Stage 1, the first of his Cup Series career.

During the second stage of the race, Allmendinger missed a shift on lap 33, a move that ended the day for his No. 47 Chevrolet. He would go on to finish in 38th, last.

Allmendinger said he was “trying to be so patient and so smooth. It was unexpected. It’s on me.”

Sonoma marked Allmendinger’s third DNF of the season.

“Just trying to be patient back there and set-up each move,” Allmendinger said of his race. “The car was pretty good. I don’t know if it was race winning we needed to work on the long run but believe me when it happened I was in a lot of disbelief and shock.

“I wasn’t ready for it and let everybody down on this race team.”

In his previous four starts at Sonoma with JTG-Daugherty Racing, Allmendinger has finished 37th (2014), 37th (2015), 14th (2016) and 35th (2017).

SOURCES
Racing-Reference.info
Team Chevrolet