Justin Allgaier hopes to build off BMS breakthrough

 There were no race cars or fans at Bristol Motor Speedway on Tuesday morning, but Justin Allgaier had a case of the fever.

"As we were coming through town and getting close to the racetrack, I could almost feel the hair on my arms standing up," Allgaier said. "This is just a cool place with a lot of history."

Allgaier authored a compelling chapter in the BMS history book on March 20 by winning the Scotts Turf Builder 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. It was the first career Nationwide win for Allgaier in 43 starts.

On Tuesday, Allgaier returned to Bristol to promote the Food City 250 on Aug. 20. Seconds after driving into the track, Allgaier checked to see if his burnout marks remained on the ramp leading up into Victory Lane.

From the pace laps to the checkered flag, Allgaier has his entire BMS breakthrough committed to memory.

"I’ve actually got it memorized all the way down to the [sponsor] appearance we did the night before the race," Allgaier said. "Obviously it’s not as important as my [wedding] anniversary, but it was one of those dates that you put in your memory bank."

Riding the emotions and confidence of his lone Nationwide victory, the 24-year-old Allgaier has emerged as one of most prominent faces of NASCAR’s junior series. Entering Saturday’s Nationwide race at Iowa Speedway, Allgaier trails only Carl Edwards and his Penske Racing teammate Brad Keselowski in points.

Allgaier said he has repeatedly watched the replay of his Bristol win to pick up tips or simply rehash good vibes.

"I watched a lot of the races from Bristol before I started racing here, and it’s great to be able to watch myself win," Allgaier said. "I don’t know how many times I’ve watched the video from my onboard camera. Hopefully we can bring the same mentality back next moth, and be able to run just as good."

Allgaier grinned Tuesday as he reflected on his dream sequence in March. After qualifying 30th, Allgaier displayed the nerves and instincts of a veteran by working his way to the lead pack. He grabbed the lead with 27 laps remaining, and then managed to counter every move by the always-aggressive Keselowski.

The post-race celebration was smoky and sentimental.

"The biggest thing for me was stopping on the straightaway and standing up on my car," Allgaier said. "Unfortunately, I was so excited that I forgot to unhook my radio cord. I about took a header right off the frontside of my car."

Shortly after waving to his supporters, Allgaier drove his car backward on the track in a Polish Victory Lap salute to former NASCAR champion Alan Kulwicki.

"I started doing the [Victory] lap when I was younger, and I felt like it was important to keep it going," Allgaier said. "A lot of the fans don’t remember it, but it still means something to me."

While Edwards and Keselowski have earned most of the attention in the Nationwide Series for their full-contact feud, the diminutive Allgaier has been among the most consistent drivers on the tour.

He has posted 11 top-10 and five top-five finishes.

As for the talk-show worthy theatrics between Edwards and Keselowski, Allgaier has been content to watch from off-stage.

"I hate it for my teammate," said Allgaier, referring to Keselowski. "This sport is driven off rivalries and controversy. We need that, and obviously the fans enjoy seeing it.

"A little bumping and banging is one thing, but things have probably gone too far. Hopefully, they have kind of buried the hatchet a little bit and everything is good."

Keselowski has a 205-point margin over Edwards in Nationwide points, while Allgaier has a 498-point deficit.

"They are having better seasons than we are," Allgaier said. "I would love to have them get docked some points or whatever so we could catch up to them, but I want to win because we are the best car. We’re working on that."

Allgaier began his march to NASCAR at age 5. He learned the basics of racing by driving dirt Late Model stock cars and by competing in the ARCA series with his family-owned team.

In 2004, Allgaier saw a vision of his future when he joined his girlfriend as a fan for a race weekend at BMS.

"We had a little motorhome and stayed at Farmer Bob’s campground near the track," Allgaier said. "We sat around, played cornhole and just enjoyed the whole weekend. I got so sunburned that I was a nice color of red, but I had fun."

For Allgaier, the best moment of the Bristol adventure was watching Martin Truex Jr. win the Sharpie 250 Nationwide Series race.

"We had seats on the first row," Allgaier said. "I remember that we were covered in rubber by the end of that race.

"I knew then that if we ever got the chance to run here that it would be coolest thing ever. Not only did we run a race at Bristol, but we won. That’s just pretty awesome."

agregory@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544