AJ Allmendinger will be released from JTG Daugherty Racing after the 2018 season, the team announced Tuesday.
Allmendinger, 35, has driven the No. 47 Chevrolet for the team since 2013 when he made nine starts beginning with the June race at Michigan International Speedway. He has run full time with the team since 2014.
In 181 starts with the team, Allmendinger has one win (Watkins Glen, 2014) and 11 top fives.
He is 24th in the standings ahead of Sunday’s race on the Charlotte Motor Speedway road course. His best result with JTG Daugherty Racing is 13th in the standings in 2014. He has not finished better than 19th in the points since that season.
“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 co-owner Tad Geschickter said in a release. “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.”
Chris Buescher drivers the team’s second car in the No. 37 Chevrolet.
Co-owner of @JTGRacing, @BradDaugherty43 talks about the team's announcement today about the team parting ways with @AJDinger at the end of the season... pic.twitter.com/Sl8FUFVrdF
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) September 25, 2018
Allmendinger has not yet announced his plans for 2019, but Weathertech Sports Car owner Michael Shank tweeted that the driver will make at least some starts for him.
Allmendinger scored the overall victory in the 2012 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona driving for Shank.
Besides being one of my best friends @AJDinger is one of the best racing drivers in any type of car,period...Not to mention he literally is one of the founding corner stones of @MichaelShankRac ….You can bet your ass you will be seeing him on one of my cars in the future! pic.twitter.com/rBEPsl8oqk
— Meyer Shank Racing (@MeyerShankRac) September 25, 2018