Following an intense week of competition after his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career start at Milwaukee, the Riverton, IL, teen headed west to the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway to attempt double-duty in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.  On Friday, between required driver and rookie meetings, practice sessions in both divisions and working with his team, Allgaier had another important issue to contend with - a career-altering call from one of the innovative power-players in NASCAR, Roush Racing.

NASCAR pioneer, Jack Roush, and his team have crafted one of the most unique scouting programs in professional sports.  The driver talent search dubbed "The Gong Show" tests the brightest future stars of motorsports in essential skill areas such as teamwork, on-track performance, personality and public speaking.  Reigning NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Kurt Busch and current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series "Rookie of the Year" point leader Todd Kluever are both former winners of the program and part of Roush's elite stable.

Justin Allgaier, his family and friends are always looking for a way to help propel the talented 19-year-old forward on a very limited budget so when Roush Racing placed an open call for this year's "Gong Show", Allgaier's application and résumé were soon in the mail.  This phone call marked the culmination of all of the years of hard work and dedication.

A young Midwestern dirt racer once received some valuable advice from his mentor, Ken Schrader, when he expressed an interest in advancing to the NASCAR ranks.  Veteran Schrader advised him to go home and get more experience.  Racing anything possible and eventually securing a ride in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Missouri-based Mittler Brothers Racing, young Carl Edwards got that experience and turned a few heads along the way.  Edwards ventured to North Carolina and competed in "The Gong Show" but did not win the illustrious competition.  However, Roush saw the potential in the Missourian and gave Edwards the opportunity he needed to prove that it only took someone with a keen eye to see his boundless potential.

Now, Justin Allgaier, another dirt racer who has been under the guidance of Schrader since the age of 5, will have his day to prove what he can bring to the table to Roush Racing as he heads to North Carolina for the competition.  While at Kansas Speedway preparing to qualify for the two events with his own ARCA RE/MAX team and the very same Mittler Brothers NCTS team that Carl Edwards drove for, Allgaier received the same type of phone call that that Carl received from Roush Racing which was the first step towards a very bright future.  It was confirmed that after reviewing 1,667 applications, Roush Racing has selected Justin as one of the 25 finalists for their next installment of "The Gong Show" which will air as a dramatic 13-part television series on the Discovery Channel this fall.

The Illinois teen has carried forth with his hectic racing schedule and quietly hosted Discovery Channel film crews in his hometown while avoiding any statements until Roush Racing made their announcement earlier today on their list of the 25 finalists.

"I'm really honored to be selected as part of the final 25," stated Allgaier who is busy preparing for this week's "Shop n' Save 150" ARCA RE/MAX event at Gateway International Raceway.  "We wanted to tell the world once we found out at Kansas because everyone has been so supportive but I felt it was only right that Roush make their announcement first so I have been dodging questions until today.  I would like to thank my family, friends, the crew of Allgaier Motorsports and MB Motorsports and the dirt racing community for the support and, of course, Jack Roush and his team for this awesome opportunity.  I'm looking forward to meeting the other contestants and having the opportunity to work with the Roush team.  All that I can do now is have fun, give it my best effort and represent myself, my family and team well.  I'm ready to do that."

Hopefully for Justin Allgaier the past is a positive indicator of what lies ahead.

More information on Justin Allgaier is available online at http://www.allgaiermotorsports.com and all of the latest news and information on "The Gong Show" can be found on the official Roush Racing web site http://www.roushracing.com.