Annett, Allgaier ready for Iowa Speedway

Rolling with momentum in the NASCAR Xfinity Series into Iowa Speedway are the drivers for JR Motorsports — Elliott Sadler, Justin Allgaier, rookie William Byron and Michael Annett. JR Motorsports have the top three drivers in the 2017 current standings and all four are in the top 10.

Allgaier and Sadler just switched places atop the Xfinity Series standings following the race at Michigan last Saturday. Byron, who won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Iowa in 2016, is sitting in third place. Annett, a Des Moines native, is 10th.

When the green flag drops at 7:30 p.m. for the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series American Ethanol E15 250, the JR Motorsports drivers will be going for an individual victory as well as keeping their team rolling through the season. Defending Iowa race champion Sam Hornish Jr. is back as a driver for Team Penske this season.

NASCAR Next driver Ty Majeski, who is competing in the ARCA Series, is set to make his Xfinity Series debut at Iowa Speedway. Majeski is driving the Roush Fenway Racing No. 60 iRacing Ford on Saturday.

“Looking at our short program in general as a team, we’re probably the strongest team. Justin winning at Phoenix and how well every one of our teams ran at Richmond, I’m nothing but excited coming into the Iowa race,” Annett said. “It’s my hometown track. Knowing how strong our cars on short tracks are, I can’t wait to get there.”

This will be Annett’s first race at Iowa Speedway since 2013, when he left the Xfinity Series then called Nationwide Series for a three-year run in the NASCAR Cup Series. He joined JR Motorsports this season and is driving the No. 5 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet.

Annett said he really looks forward to being back on the Iowa track and seeing how much it has changed over the past couple of years. Iowa Speedway’s track is so much fun to compete on, he said.

He said the last time he raced at Iowa, cars didn’t run on the top line of the track. Annett said Iowa’s winters help build the character of the Speedway’s track.

“It’s fun going into a track with the anticipation of having a good run. I’m hoping for my first race win in front of a ‘hometown’ crowd,” Annett said. “The new stage format has made it more exciting for drivers and fans. I’ve discovered how important track position for each stage is to pick up those bonus points as you work toward winning the race.”

Annett and Allgaier have both had the Cup Series experience and are back in the Xfinity Series. Allgaier finished seventh at Iowa a year ago in the June race. JR Motorsports teammate Elliott Sadler was sixth in that race.

“As a team we have a lot of momentum coming into Iowa,” Allgaier said. “I love racing at Iowa. The setting the track is in with the corn fields around it provides for a great atmosphere. The fans are great. With it being a short track, we really can put on a great show for the fans.”

Allgaier is a native of Riverton, Ill., and grew up in a rural setting. He said it is one reason he appreciates Iowa Speedway and its surroundings. Also one of his sponsors is an agriculture-based industry, BRANDT Professional Agriculture.

“The bump between Turns 1 and 2 makes Iowa challenging but lots of fun to race on,” Allgaier said. “I started racing when I was 5 and had parents who were into racing. I love the speed of the car when I’m on the track plus the competition is a driving force for me in the sport.”

Allgaier, who drives the No. 7 BRANDT Chevrolet, said in last year’s June Xfinity race, all the drivers were on the top line of the track then in late July’s second race, they were running on the bottom line. He said tracks change which presents challenges to the drivers and teams.

“We embrace those challenges and make our cars run the best they can on each particular track,” Allgaier said.

Neither Annett nor Allgaier have any superstitions they have before a race.

“The only thing I do have is when my daughter, who is 3, travels with me and is at the track. She always has to tell me four things — good luck, don’t wreck, you gotta win and get up on the wheels — before I get in the car,” Allgaier said.

Annett said he enjoys the competition of racing. He said he doesn’t do much work from Monday to Thursday but when the weekend rolls around, it is time for him to show his worth.

“You realize how special it is to have a good restart during a race,” Annett said. “You have to develop the temperament of surviving the ups and downs of the sport. Accept it and move on to the next race.”

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535
or jsheets@newtondailynews.com