Personable Allmendinger caught in waves of rules

A.J. Allmendinger hopes a year of growing pains will smooth the road ahead for his disappointing Red Bull team in 2008. Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR

When A. J. Allmendinger left the world of open wheel racing for Team Red Bull in the Nextel Cup series, he knew he had a big job in front of him.

But the winner of five Champ Car races in 2006 didn't anticipate the effects a qualifying rule guaranteeing the top 35 (in owners' points) drivers a starting spot in a Nextel Cup Race would have on his decision. The deck was stacked against the California native, who will be 26 next week. Here Allmendinger was -- a rookie -- driving for a brand new team, with a manufacturer, Toyota, making its debut in NASCAR's premier series. It was no surprise that they all struggled mightily just to qualify.

Thus was the Catch-22 Allmendinger found himself in. In order to get into races he had to have points. Having no points to carry over from last year, though, the team struggled to qualify against more experienced teams and, failing to make races, they couldn't earn enough points to guarantee a starting spot.

Since his earliest professional days, one could see Allmendinger could be his own harshest critic at times; yet, he is basically an optimist with a very big heart. He's like the earnest kid brother who never gives up, which is why he's very popular not only with his team, but in the Cup garage, too.

But that couldn't prevent a season filled with frustration. In Orlando last week for the Snap-on All-Stars Karting Classic at the Performance Racing Industry trade show, Allmendinger joked there's a lot more gray hair on the team than when it began.

"There were many times I wanted to commit suicide," joked Allmendinger. "I can't take this anymore. I know there's a lot worse in life than missing a Cup race, but when that's your life -- it feels like it's over.

"In a tent, for all the go-kart drivers and teams, Allmendinger looked over toward Ricky Viers, his Cup crew chief and explained "He had all the right in the world to say (as he pauses and sucks in a breath for effect speaking in low tones) 'we might need a more experienced driver or need a change.' He's sticking with me and I'm sticking with him; in the long run that's going to make us a lot stronger, make us a better team."

Viers, a veteran crew chief formerly with Richard Childress' Racing Busch program, is a practical guy and keen observer. He noted, "I was pretty surprised how many Cup drivers took to him like Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. They enjoy seeing a young guy coming over from another sport, like open wheel into this and be competitive. Anytime he'd go to them they'd be helpful; that was an eye-opening experience." Viers came down to Orlando just to show his support of his driver.

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