The No. 51 car will be driven by AJ Allmendinger this weekend. Allmendinger will compete in Saturday nights race from Charlotte Motor Speedway, his first race since Kentucky.
While he completed NASCAR’s Road to Recovery nearly a month ago the former Penske Racing driver did not have a ride anymore. An opportunity came together rather quickly that will allow Allmendinger to race this weekend.
A series of drivers are on the move in the garage, aided in part by an injury. It started when Kurt Busch signed a contract with Furniture Row Racing for 2013, he assumes the seat of the No. 78 this weekend. Regan Smith who had driven the car was to take over the seat of the No. 51 for the race at Charlotte.
However, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was diagnosed with a concussion and will miss the next two events. In turn Smith assumes his seat at Hendrick Motorsports driving the No. 88 and opening up a spot for Allmendinger to drive for the James Finch owned Phoenix Racing.
The red Chevrolet Impala has a white smiley face on the hood and sides of the car this week. The smiley face is the exact opposite of the sometimes fiery personality of the cars previous driver Busch.
Considering that NASCAR the Game opted not to include the Kurt Busch No. 51 “Me” car from Ricky Bobby, we wonder if they will include the smiley face on the No. 51? Hmmm.
photo credit: Jeff Wackerlin @JWackerlin on twitter.
