By David Morgan, NASCAR Editor
After five years with JTG Daugherty Racing, AJ Allmendinger will be leaving the seat of the No. 47 car at the end of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.
Though Allmendinger inked a five-year contract extension back in 2015 that would have kept him behind the wheel through 2020, the team announced Tuesday that they would be releasing him from his contract.
“AJ Allmendinger has been a valuable asset to the growth of our company, and we are grateful for his professionalism with our brands and the passion he has shown for this race team over the years,” team owner Tad Geschickter said.
“As hard as it may be, we’re moving in a different direction for the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season and will be parting ways at the end of this season. It’s not an easy decision and change is never easy. We wish him the very best in his endeavors and he will always be family to us.”
Allmendinger first joined the team in late 2013, when he made nine starts for them before moving into a full-time role the following season. In 181 starts in the No. 47 car, the Los Gatos, California native has scored one win, six top-five finishes, 26 top-10 finishes, and two poles.
Prior to arriving at JTG Daugherty, Allmendinger had previous stops at Red Bull Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, Team Penske, and Phoenix Racing, along with his open wheel and sports car endeavors.
His lone Cup Series win at Watkins Glen in 2014 gave him his only Playoff berth of his career, allowing him to finish a career-high 13th in points.
This season has been a struggle for Allmendinger as he has just one top-five and three top-10 finishes, along with sitting 24th in points with eight races remaining. His best finish this season came with a third place result in the July race at Daytona.
No replacement for Allmendinger has yet been named.
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