Denny Hamlin sharply criticized Justin Allgaier’s error at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Allgaier’s decision late in the race handed the victory to William Byron. During the event, Allgaier was leading for most of the night in his No. 7 JR Motorsports car, which showed clear dominance by leading over 100 laps. However, a late-race call by Allgaier cost him the chance to secure the win in the Xfinity Series race.
The key error came after a caution period when nearly all drivers opted for fresh tires by pitting. Allgaier, ignoring the advice of his crew chief Greg Ives, chose to stay on the track to preserve track position. This gamble backfired when Byron, equipped with four new tires, rapidly closed the gap and overtook Allgaier with ease. On the final restart, Byron, along with Connor Zilisch and Nick Sanchez, easily passed Allgaier, dropping him from first to fourth place almost instantly.
The Strategy Misstep Behind the Lost Victory
Allgaier’s decision to disregard his crew chief’s instruction was the root of the problem. In NASCAR, trusting the crew chief’s strategy is critical since they have the advantage of analyzing the broader race conditions from the pit box. Hamlin emphasized on his podcast ‘Actions Detrimental’ that drivers should not override their crew chiefs’ plans.
“Not good. Drivers are not crew chiefs,”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Hamlin further explained that while drivers can debate or suggest strategies, it’s wise to defer to the crew chief’s perspective, as they hold a more comprehensive overview. The repeated cautions late in the race forced multiple restarts, which only worsened the situation for Allgaier as he struggled with worn tires against competitors with fresher rubber.
“To give Justin credit, I think if the race only had one of those restarts, maybe two, I think maybe he still had a good shot at it. The guys with new tires would pick up two spots, caution, pick up two spots, caution, and the next thing you know, they’re right on his a**,”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Race Context and Impact on Allgaier’s Season
Byron’s victory at Charlotte marked his fifth career Xfinity Series win, coming after serving a speeding penalty earlier in the race. The top five finishers included Conner Zilisch, Nick Sanchez, Justin Allgaier, and Sammy Smith, who followed closely behind Byron. Despite Allgaier’s strong season with two wins and nine top-five finishes through 13 races, mistakes like this one highlight the crucial role of strategy and trust in crew leadership.
The incident sheds light on the tension between driver instincts and team strategy, reinforcing the often-unspoken rule that crew chiefs should be the final decision-makers during races. For Allgaier, learning to balance his aggressive driving with adherence to advice from his crew chief Greg Ives will likely be essential in converting strong performances into more consistent wins.
