AJ Allmendinger, road-course specialist and Stage 1 winner of Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350, exited the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Lap 33 when he missed a shift and blew up his engine at Sonoma Raceway.
Allmendinger’s No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet coasted to a halt on the side of the track as the caution came out.
Allmendinger started the race fifth, and the California native had been a pre-race favorite at Sonoma because of his noted abilities on road courses. The race represented one of the veteran’s best chances to qualify for the NASCAR Playoffs with a victory.
When asked by FS1’s Jamie Little what led to the missed shift, Allmendinger’s response was blunt.
“Me,” he said. “I haven‘t missed a shift on a road course in 10 years. Just me. I was trying to be so patient, so smooth with it; it was unexpected. It‘s on me. I let everybody down here. The car was good, I don‘t know if it was race-winning. It‘s all on me. I don‘t know what else to say. I just let everybody down.” (Video Interview).
Allmendinger led five laps — Laps 23-27 — while earning his first stage win of the season Sunday.