AJ Allmendinger Isn’t Worried About 'Anything but Winning' at Daytona

Kaulig Racing veteran AJ Allmendinger is in a do or die position in the final regular-season race at Daytona. The 43-year-old has failed to win a single race so far this season in the Cup Series. Moreover, Allmendinger is a whopping 181 points below the cut-off line for the Playoffs. Now, the Chevrolet driver has expressed his confidence in potentially emerging victorious in the Coke Zero Sugar 400.

The 2025 campaign has been a rough one for AJ Allmendinger. The Kaulig Racing veteran could never really make it to the fight up front. Now, with just one regular-season race to go, it is all to play for. If the 43-year-old can win in Daytona, he would directly make it to the Playoffs. Otherwise, he has no chance of securing a spot based on a points cut-off.

AJ Allmendinger reckoned that one thing about this situation was in his favor. The 43-year-old had to only focus on winning without really caring about anything else, be it points or stage results. Moreover, the Kaulig Racing star had faith that the No. 16 Chevrolet would be quick on Daytona International Speedway. The Kaulig Racing car usually performs better on superspeedway races.

I guess the positive way to look at it is we don’t have to worry about anything besides winning. We don’t have to worry about points, we don’t have worry about stages, if we’re not up front at the end of the stages. The focus is just winning. I’m confident we’re going to have a fast CELSIUS Chevy every time we come to these superspeedway races. Kaulig Racing and with the help of ECR horsepower — we have a fast car. 

AJ Allmendinger told On3.

Though, Allmendinger insisted that the race is infamous for being nothing short of chaotic as drivers are desperate to make it to the Playoffs. He further pointed out that only the two drivers on the points cut-off line will need to actually be cautious about their approach.

This race is hectic and it’s chaotic… [there’s] about 20 or 22 guys in desperation mode. There’s really only two of them that probably got to be a little careful and then there’s 14 that don’t have to worry about anything because they’re already locked in.

AJ Allmendinger added.

AJ Allmendinger asserts he needs to survive till the end of the race

NASCAR is notorious for its wrecks, particularly on tracks like Daytona. A single mistake by any driver can lead to a multi-car pile-up with several drivers being forced to retire for no fault of their own. AJ Allmendinger recognizes this threat.