Allmendinger, Haley to Pilot Dual GMS Racing Entries at Watkins Glen

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer

Continuing to honor commitments made during Spencer Gallagher’s two-month suspension, GMS Racing announced Saturday that Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver A.J. Allmendinger will drive the No. 23 Chevrolet Camaro at Watkins Glen International in New York on August 4.

In addition of Allmendinger making his first series start since Mid-Ohio in 2013, headphone brand AfterShokz will be partnering with GMS.

Allmendinger said he’s looking forward driving for the team, citing how they’ve become a competitive entity since joining the series in 2016, and was impressed with his sponsor’s product.

“I am really looking forward to racing with GMS,” said Allmendinger. “The team has become very competitive in the short amount of time it’s been competing in the Xfinity Series. Watkins Glen is one of my favorite tracks and I hope together we can have a strong result. It’s great that AfterShokz is on board as a sponsor. I checked out a pair of their open-ear headphones; they are awesome and such a departure from the bulky headsets you typically see fans wearing at races.”

In 10 Xfinity Series starts, the 13-year NASCAR veteran scored both of his wins in 2013 at Road America and Mid-Ohio, driving for Roger Penske.

GMS Racing President Mike Beam welcomed both Allmendinger and AfterShokz to the team, as he hopes it’ll bring home their second win of the season.

“We are excited to welcome AfterShokz and A.J. to the GMS Racing family,” said Beam. “It’s a great product that is already available to fans at the track and what better person to represent their brand than A.J. He is a great road course racer and hopefully we will be able to put the No. 23 and AfterShokz in Victory Lane.”

AfterShokz are available for fans to either purchase or try a demo at Racing Electronics trailers, giving fans a new race and every day feel of listening audio through the cheekbones.

Their product also provides a more comfortable experience while listening to the race and root for their drivers, without worrying about the heat as it’s sweat resistant compared to traditional headsets.

“We’re thrilled to partner with GMS Racing and be an associate sponsor on the No.23 ISM Connect/AfterShokz Chevrolet Camaro with A.J. Allmendinger behind the wheel,” said Kim Fassetta, CMO of AfterShokz. “This is a first for AfterShokz and we’re excited to have an experienced driver with an excellent track record representing us.”

Although Allmendinger scored his lone Cup Series win at Watkins Glen in 2014, he’s never competed at the 2.45-mile road course in Xfinity.

GMS Racing’s last announcement was Justin Haley making his third start in a second entry, once again piloting the No. 24 Chevrolet. It’s Haley’s first Xfinity Series race since the controversial July race at Daytona, where he crossed the line in first, but was relegated to 18th after advancing his position below the double-yellow line.

In two national series road course starts, Haley’s best effort was fourth last season in the Camping World Truck Series at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Canada.