By David Morgan, Associate Editor
LEBANON, Tenn. – To retire or not to retire, that is the question.
During an appearance on SiriusXM Radio a week ago during JR Motorsports Fan Day, Justin Allgaier made it publicly known that the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season could be his last behind the wheel of the No. 7 JRM Chevrolet as he was pondering retirement at season’s end.
Following his win on Saturday night at Nashville Superspeedway, he explained that odds before the season were at “105 percent,” but as the season has progressed and the wins just keep on coming, he might just be reconsidering.
Through the first 16 races of the season, Allgaier has racked up four wins, 11 top-five finishes, and 13 top-10 finishes, currently with a stranglehold on the O’Reilly points standings as he sits 179 points ahead of defending series champion Jesse Love.
“We’re kind of working through what that looks like,” Allgaier explained. “Look, there’s a lot of factors that for me, I think kind of weighed in on my decision of what 2027 and what the future looks like…What I know is that I’m having probably the most fun I’ve ever had in my entire career right now.
“And not just because we’re winning, but just I’m having fun. And some of the things that I think, I mean look, the last two weeks have been really difficult on everybody and not that that’s weighted on my decision, but it’s probably made me value why I love this sport so much and why I get up in the mornings and do what I do and how fragile life really is.
“And so, I’ve enjoyed being around the people in this garage. There’s nothing like the people in this garage, whether it be the media like you guys, the fans, the teams, the spotters. There’s nobody like this in the world that I’ve lived in outside of the four walls of these racetracks.
“I don’t know, I don’t have an answer for you, we’re working through that. But I would say today you’ll probably see me, there’s a higher likelihood of you seeing me next year than there isn’t. If that helps you answer any. So, we’ll see how this goes.”
Allgaier added that as long as he can go out there and give 100 percent and has the competitive fire, he wants to be in the ring, but when that starts dwindling, he doesn’t want to be one of the guys that held on too long past their prime.
“I don’t care if you’re the best, but when you walk off the field or you walk off the track, tell me you gave me a hundred percent and I’ll be happy with whatever the result is,” said Allgaier. “So, that’s kind of where I’m at in my career. I’m still a hundred percent still good enough at this point. So, that’s a good thing.
“There’s going to be a day where a hundred percent’s not going to be good enough. And I don’t want to be a stat. We all know some of the drivers that have stuck around a little longer than they probably should have. And it’s not because they didn’t want it, you’re just not able to get the job done. And I don’t ever want to be that person.
“So, I’ll go until I feel like I can’t do it anymore, I guess, and see what happens.”
Regardless of what decision Allgaier makes on his future, team co-owner Dale Earnhardt, Jr. explained that he will be content with whatever that decision may be and that Allgaier has earned the right to make that call.
“Well, if this is the last race we ever ran with Justin, it has been an honor and a privilege to work with him and it has been better than I would’ve ever imagined,” said Earnhardt.
“So, whatever else we do going forward, if he finishes up the year and says, you know what, I think I’ve had enough, that’s fine too. If he runs a couple more years, I’ll be happy about that as well.
“If he wants to run longer, it’s just pressure on me to keep giving him everything that he deserves and everything he needs to be successful.”
Earnhardt added that priorities change for drivers as the get closer to the end of their career than the beginning and is ready to support his star driver with whatever path he decides to go down, whether that’s riding off into the sunset at season’s end or running it back for another go at it in 2027.
“There are priorities in his life that are shifting – family, his kids, his family business up north. So, there’s a lot of things that he has to prioritize that are changing and I want to support him,” said Earnhardt.
“He’s been so incredible for me and a great friend and I just want him to be happy. I don’t want him to feel beholden or obligated to anything or anyone. And he’s earned his opportunity to do whatever he wants to do, whether it’s continue to race or call it a day and go do something else.
“So, I’ll support whatever choice he makes, but if he wants to race more, it’s like, all right, we’ll buckle down, try to give you everything we can to make sure it’s a good ride all the way to the finish.”
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