When AJ Allmendinger burst into tears after emotional triumph over HMS rival at Charlotte: “You don’t know when it’s ever going to happen again”

Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course's 2023 champion AJ Allmendinger couldn't control his emotions after stopping Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron from a potential win. The Kaulig Racing driver succumbed to a winless 2022 season, finishing poorly in 42nd place.

Allmendinger has netted three Cup Series wins thus far, all from road courses. The #16 Chevy driver clinched his maiden triumph at the 2014 Watkins Glen International race. However, it took him until August of 2021 when he claimed his second victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.

The Kaulig Racing driver stood sixth fastest in the qualifying and delivered a strong performance before parking his #16 Chevy in the victory lane. He led a race-high 46 laps and remained undisputed in the final 33 laps. Despite Byron's hard challenge to pass Allmendinger, the latter fended off the HMS driver's #24 Chevy, dethroning the driver by 0.666 seconds.

The moment was emotional and AJ Allmendinger couldn't hold back his tears during the post-race conversation on the asphalt. The "crying" race winner reflected on his triumphant run and said (via NASCAR).

“I hate crying right now, but it’s a freaking Cup race, man. You don’t know when it’s ever going to happen again. This is why you do it. This is the only reason you do it. You fight. All the blood, sweat, tears, everybody at Kaulig Racing has just been such. I’d say a down year, but up-and-down year. It’s our second year in the Cup Series,” Allmendinger said.

As the Kaulig Racing driver wasn't in the playoffs, the Bank of America ROVAL 400 win propelled him to a 21st-place finish.

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AJ Allmendinger gives his take on Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course's reconfiguration

During the summer break, a new infield was constructed between Turns 6 and 7, heading straight into the 'hairpin-styled' turn. The previous layout featured a near 90-degree turn while entering Turn 8. The reconfiguration is said to create an even more challenging atmosphere and the road to Turn 8 would be one of the few spots to watch for an overtake.

AJ Allmendinger is running a full-time Xfinity Series schedule and part-time Cup racing. Ahead of the Drive to Cure 250 Xfinity race at Charlotte's Road Course, the Kaulig Racing driver, who boasts 11 victories in the National Series, was asked for his opinion on the repave. The #16 Chevy driver said (via NASCAR):

“I go into this weekend probably with the least amount of confidence that I ever been going into the Roval. You know, I looked at Talladega as a race I was like, I’ve probably got more of a chance to win there than I do at the Roval," Allmendinger said.

“I’ve struggled with being loose in the Xfinity car. That is at every road course that I’ve went to,” he added.

AJ Allmendinger's Chevy will enter the Xfinity race at Charlotte as the final car above the playoff elimination line, with a 7-point buffer. The Kaulig Racing driver is due to see the victory lane this year, as his efforts have rendered the best finish of P3, at Watkins Glen.