06-03-2005 | TruckSeries.com Report
The #86 Allgaier Motorsports team has started their 2005 ARCA RE/MAX Season with a streak of bad luck that has included motor woes at an open test and in the final practice at Salem Speedway shortly after Justin Allgaier qualified a solid 7th place. Eighteen-year-old Justin Allgaier again wheeled his #86 Hoosier Tire Midwest/U.S. Air Force Pontiac to a strong third place qualifying position before rains cancelled the remainder of qualifying for Toledo's "Hantz Group 200" and the #86 was prematurely forced back on to the trailer as the field was set according to owner's points. With extra tenacity and a new number, the Illinois-based team is hoping Lady Luck will join them for their Milwaukee Mile debut. "We have had good runs and an awesome car but we just can't catch a break," stated the new pilot of the #2 Hoosier Tire Midwest/U.S. Air Force/TRASHMAN Pontiac. "Toledo was a disappointment because we had a great car that was capable of winning and were not able to show it. Bad luck is bound to come to an end so we're ready to shake it off and hopefully have a solid finish at Milwaukee before attempting the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race there later this month." When asked about the number change, Allgaier commented, "After my first few races with Ken Schrader Racing, we have always used the #86 (the year he was born - 1986) so I am a little attached. But, Wayne Hixson, owner of Hixson Motorsports, followed up on past conversations and a mutual agreement was struck to allow us to use the #2 for our remaining 2005 ARCA RE/MAX schedule. I would really like to thank Wayne for opportunity - he's a great friend. The cars, motors and everything else will remain exactly the same - it is still Allgaier Motorsports - but the #2 will be on the door. I may add a little 86 somewhere on the car just so it's still there - I haven't decided yet. I'm a little superstitious but the #2 has worked well for another guy from around our way, Rusty Wallace, so hopefully this ARCA number has a little luck left in her as well." The #2 Hoosier Tire Midwest/U.S. Air Force team will compete at Milwaukee Mile for the "ARCA RE/MAX 150" on Saturday, June 4, 2005. The race will air live on the SPEED Channel from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (EDT). In addition to traditional race activities at the one-mile track, a special pre-race ceremony, "A Salute to American Military Champions", will take place on the front stretch between 11 a.m. and noon with Grammy Award-winning recording artist Lee Fleetwood to honor America's past, present and future military personnel. All branches of the military will be represented and Four-Star General (Ret., U.S. Army) Tommy Franks will act as the event's grand marshal. As an outreach to include the participation of all active, active reserve and retired military personnel, one free ticket will be given to all servicemen and women who present a Military I.D.