Photo – Courtesy of HScott Motorsports
Most people think of Illinois as home to Chicago, one of the top-three cities in the United States. But most of the area of Illinois is devoted to agricultural endeavors. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series,driver, Justin Allgaier knows about that because he grew up in the heart of Illinois near the state capital.
So when the Sprint Cup Series comes to Chicagoland Speedway, it’s a track that Allgaier enjoys, not only as his home track where family and friends can attend, but also as the home of his sponsor Brandt Agriculture, based in Springfield, Illinois, not far from Allgaier’s home town of Riverton, Illinois.
“Well very rarely do you get to a home track,” says Allgaier. “This is not far from home for me, and this is what I really consider my home field advantage. So, to have that and to have all my family here and to have our sponsor Brandt Fresh Agriculture – it’s their home track as well. To have all of them here, their customers, employees and the Brandt backstretch this year, it’s just really something you can’t really explain it – how cool it is – just because it’s such a unique experience. But to be able to have all of that and to have started my Cup career here, to get a win here in the XFINITY Series, all of those things just make this place just so much fun.”
HScott Motorsports driver, Allgaier grew up racing the midwestern tracks of Illinois and the surrounding areas, and his fans in the state have followed his career from the beginning. So getting the chance to return to those dirt and short track beginnings is always special for this midwest driver.
“I grew up racing on the dirt tracks and the short tracks here in the Illinois area. Some of the best racers in the country come out of Illinois, from the dirt ranks and the short track ranks. You know we’ve got a couple in NASCAR and the different series. But to be able to come up here to Chicago, we’ve got such a beautiful facility – one of the best Mile-and-a-halves you go to by far. And we’ve got a great group of fans that come up here – you just can’t go wrong with Illinois.
“Unfortunately this summer we’ve been pounded with rain and haven’t gotten a whole lot of racing in the short track ranks, but definitely a lot of fun to be able to get back home and race some dirt too, which is always a blast.”
The relationship between Allgaier and his sponsor, Brandt Fresh Agriculture is clearly special. Not only did Allgaier carry the Brandt name and colors on his car, Brandt sponsored the entire backstretch at Chicagoland Speedway, painting the wall Brandt Red between turns two and three. Allgaier and Brandt’s relationship with their customers, employees and fans was also unmistakable.
“Last year we had a big tent back in the back stretch between three and four,” says Allgaier. “This year we have a tent, off of turn two – a number of customers and employees are out there.
“To have the Brandt back stretch is special. I did tell Rick (Brandt, president and CEO) it’s just a little bit hard to see at speed. The letters tend to jumble together a little bit. But definitely a cool addition, especially at a track like here at Chicago to kick off the Chase.
“I mean they’ve done so much not only for myself, but for racing. They’re here every week and behind the scenes doing a lot to grow not only the sport, but for the recognition of agriculture. To see that growth and to see what they’re trying to accomplish – it gives me that extra umph to want to go out there and to run well each week and to do a good job for them and for the entire agriculture community.”
In addition, to the tent in turn two and the Brandt backstretch wall, Justin Allgaier was a special guest at Jeff Gluck’s tweet up that he organizes at the tracks on the Sprint Cup Series schedule. Fans hear about the tweet up place on twitter and then gather there to chat with Gluck and the guests he arranges to attend. Allgaier spent time to chat with all of them and sign autographs. Those attending enjoyed their interaction.
With Chicagoland Speedway the first race in the Sprint Cup Series Chase, and with the 16 drivers contending for the title getting a lot of attention, seeing Justin Allgaier and his sponsor in the limelight at their home track this weekend was – as Allgaier said – special, cool and fun.