Justin Allgaier Looks for New Opportunity After Loss of Sponsorship at Penske

Justin Allgaier, the highest running regular Nationwide driver in points, looks to be without a ride in 2011.  Penske Racing stated that sponsor Verizon has decided to change plans, leaving the program with no funding.

For the next four races to close out the season, Allgaier looks to be prove that he belongs in top tier ride, looking to score some consistent good finishes.

"One that sticks out for me is Gateway," Allgaier said on NASCAR.com. "Being close to home, being that we've run fairly well there but maybe not had the finishes to show for it...That stuff definitely bodes well going into the last couple of races."

Allgaier hopes to showcase to an owner that he has the talent and should be competing in the NASCAR ranks.

"I feel like as far as being in a race car, I've got the talent to be here," Allgaier said. "To be a part of as large a corporation as Verizon is and to have the branding they've put in place, I feel that definitely helps.

"Me personally, I'm a good person. Most of the crew guys here would stand behind me and say they really enjoy working with me and that goes a long way for me, making sure I treat my guys well."

Allgaier's stats back up what he is saying as last year, he finished sixth in points with three top fives and 12 top 10s. This year, he currently sits fourth with a win (Bristol), seven top fives and 18 top 10s.

In years past, a driver of Allgaier's talent would've easily been able to secure a ride. However, with the sponsorship dollars being tight, it's been hard to find a good deal. Allgaier says though that he's seen the support from people who would like to hire him.

"Lots of teams are needing sponsorship for next year," Allgaier said. "Teams that do have sponsors signed deals right before I was told. I was in a little bit of bad shape just because it kind of happened extremely late. But a lot of people in this garage have tried to help me in a lot of different ways. They say things like, 'We don't have money, don't have a sponsor, but we could maybe put you in for a couple races that we don't have a driver for.' There's just been a lot of outpouring of help and things you don't normally see."

So where could Allgaier end up in 2011?

On the Cup Series side, there a couple different scenarios that could play out well. David Ragan hasn't done much in his Cup deal at Roush-Fenway as he currently sits 24th in points with two top 10s.

Though within the Penske organization, the No. 77 of Sam Hornish Jr. is losing Mobil 1 to Tony Stewart. With Hornish not having the must stellar results, could it be time for the Captain (Roger Penske) to take a chance and put Allgaier in the car?

On the Nationwide Series side, Allgaier could also end up staying with Penske Racing if they find sponsorship.

He could also end up in a Roush-Fenway ride as neither Ricky Stenhouse Jr. or Colin Braun have done that well this year. Jack Roush has already signed Trevor Bayne to a one-year deal to replace one, but he could also replace the other.

Lastly, Allgaier could also end up at Tuner Motorsports as with being a new team (David Turner taking over Braun Racing), the driver line-up is not secure yet as nothing of certainty has been announced.

Either way, Allgaier is open to any opportunity.

"If I could find a situation where I could run both, that would be my ideal goal," Allgaier said. "I don't know that I see myself in the Nationwide Series for another five years as only a Nationwide driver. If that's the opportunity, I'll take it because I want to be in this sport.

"If there is a Nationwide-only team and midseason a Cup team comes to me and wants me to drive, I wouldn't be opposed to that either, as long as the teams can work together. Ryan Newman has shown that could work. I'm not really limiting my choices as much as I want to be able to make it to the Cup level and I know that's going to take some give and take."