AJ's Break out Season, and Why

                Ok, so you’re now the flagship driver for Richard Petty Motorsports, You Just had the best season of your NASCAR career, your improvement in 2010 was incredible, and you haven’t even reached your potential yet. If this was you, your name would be AJ Allmendinger, and your 2011 season can’t get here fast enough.

                AJ could follow in the footsteps of many popular drivers who have had break out third full seasons. I’m not sure if you’ve ever heard the names Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Greg Biffle, and Jeff Burton, but they all improved drastically in their third full season. I went back and looked at NASCAR’S top 20 drivers in points with at least three full seasons and this is what I found.

                On average, every statistical category increased. The wins, top fives, top tens, average start, average finish, and points finish all increased. The stats are posted on the link to the right labeled, “AJ Prediction.” So what does this say about what AJ Allmendinger’s mindset should be for 2011? It says “BRING IT ON!”

                AJ’s 2011 season has all the ingredients for success. Richard Petty Motorsports has their financial stability that plagued the team for the latter half of 2010. RPM will also continue to get their equipment from Roush Fenway. AJ’s always been a confident driver, and has gained respect for hardly ever having disputes on the track. With a little luck at the super speedways, AJ can find himself solidly in the top fifteen in points for 2011. Based on the average increase for driver statistics in their third year, AJ should have one win, five top fives, and eleven top tens with a 14^th place finish in the points.

                My prediction has a little more faith than the projected numbers. I believe with everything falling in place this year, AJ will not only find himself with a win, but a spot in the chase. If AJ can be in 12^th by the end of the Richmond race, he has a legitimate shot at being in the top ten for the end of the year. AJ has always finished the season strong, so it could work to his advantage. That being said, my predictions for AJ’s 2011 season go as follows, two wins, six top fives, fifteen top tens, and tenth place in the points.

                To wrap it up, AJ and all 43 fans have got to be licking their chops for 2011 and the success it should bring. I know I am. I’ll see you guys at the track, and hopefully we’ll see AJ in victory lane. Go Dingerrrrrr!