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AJ Allmendinger had ‘a lot of fun’ with data test on Charlotte road course

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355 - Practice

WATKINS GLEN, NY - AUGUST 05: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #47 Kroger/Kingsford Chevrolet, drives during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International on August 5, 2016 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

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CHARLOTTE - After playing coy about his data test on the Charlotte Motor Speedway road course two weeks ago (“I had heard a rumor there was a test at Charlotte, I had golfed”), A.J. Allmendinger said he enjoyed his time on the 2.3-mile circuit, which includes portions of the 1.5-mile oval.

“I thought it was a lot of fun. I enjoyed it,” Allmendinger said at the NASCAR Media Tour. “I think it can bring something new to the schedule ... if it was done. I’m all for it. I’m probably biased toward it.”

The road-course ace for JTG Daugherty Racing wouldn’t shed light on NASCAR’s plans for the road course and if it will be used this season. But the winner of the 2014 race at Watkins Glen International made it clear he thinks the Cup Series schedule needs a few more right turns.

“I don’t know what’s going happen, I’m not the decision maker,” Allmendinger said. “It’s like the new (points) format. Change can be good. It can be a little scary. We all got to see how it plays out. Could it be successful? I think it could be a fantastic race. It would be something fans could truly enjoy.”

Prep time could keep the road course from being used for the May All-Star race, but it would more realistic to be used for the October playoff race.

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