By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service

O’REILLY POINTS LEADER ALLGAIER CONTINUES PULLING DOUBLE DUTY

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Justin Allgaier has another busy weekend ahead – his “9-to-5” job competing for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship on Saturday and then continuing to fill in for the injured Alex Bowman in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at the famous half-mile Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 BRANDT Chevrolet, looks on during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 11, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

So far, the 2024 NASCAR O’Reilly champ has done admirable work balancing the heavy schedule. He’ll drive the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevy in Saturday’s NFPA 250 (3:30 p.m. ET, CW, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) and then suit up again for Sunday’s Cook Out 400 (3:30 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) to steer the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for Bowman, who has been battling vertigo.

Allgaier earned his second NASCAR O’Reilly series victory of the season – and 30th of his decorated career – last weekend at Darlington, S.C. and now leads the championship by an impressive 52-point margin over Richard Childress Racing’s Jesse Love.

He’s finished 25th (Las Vegas) and 24th (Darlington, S.C.) in two NASCAR Cup Series starts in the No. 48 Chevy. The team has said Bowman will be out at least through the April 12 Bristol, Tenn. race.

“Obviously the goal is to get Alex back into the car as soon as possible,’’ Allgaier said Friday before NASCAR O’Reilly qualifying at the half-mile Martinsville track. “That’s the main thought and transitioning from there, how do we strengthen the 48-program.

“The hard part for me, is obviously I want to do the best job I can for both parties and I also don’t want to hold anyone back, whether that be the 48 or the 7. I owe it to both teams to give 100 percent so it’s made for a bit of a challenge over the last two weeks with family time but it’s worth it and you take a team like Hendrick Motorsports and they’ve obviously been successful in the series for so long because of the way they operate, and how much stuff they have and how great they are.

“It’s been a really unique and fun journey to see the back end of that and hope to get Alex back in the car soon. Hopefully we can do a good job until that time comes.’’

PRIME OPPORTUNITY FOR LATE MODEL LEGEND PULLIAM

Lee Pulliam was equal parts emotional, grateful and motivated Friday afternoon in anticipating his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut driving the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in Saturday’s NFPA 250.

The 37-year old four-time NASCAR Local Racing Series national champion and longtime late model superstar conceded that only a few years ago, he thought his racing career was finished. But in the months after helping his father overcome a medical health scare, Pulliam promised his dad to seize any racing opportunities that still arise.

Saturday’s race for the iconic JR Motorsports team is a prime opportunity. And he’s made that very evident – showing up at the JRM shop to watch film, work on pit stops, get on the simulator. Whatever it takes.

And the work paid off immediately with Pulliam turning the fastest lap in Friday’s NASCAR O’Reilly practice.

“I never wanted to walk away from it [racing],’’ the North Carolina-native reminded. ”This means a lot. A whole lot. This is something I dreamed about ever since I was kid. It’s what I wanted to do. I felt like I was good enough to make it to the upper echelon in the sport, but it just didn’t work out in that time.

“But my flame is just as high as if I was 18,’’ he promised, “and I think that’s a tremendous advantage in one way and I just have to use that to my advantage.

“I’ve had some special moments here [at Martinsville] and man, I’ve had a long hard journey to get to this spot but it’s been everything I’ve ever dreamed about and more. A lot of hard work and a lot of good people,’’ he added, his voice trailing off in emotion.

Pulliam’s JR Motorsports teammates were immediately receptive to the idea of Pulliam joining the team and have high expectations for Saturday’s race. He put the No. 9 Chevy on top of the speed chart with just under seven minutes to go in the hour practice session and with qualifying cancelled, will roll off 12th.

“If you like late model racing, you know who Lee Pulliam is,’’ his JR Motorsports teammate Allgaier said, promising Pulliam’s foray into the series is a hugely positive thing for all involved. “This is going to be really special. I have no doubt he’s going to be successful.’’

NASCAR O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SERIES QUALIFYING RAINED OUT

Only six of the 40 NASCAR O’Reilly cars entered were able to turn a qualifying lap before rain cancelled the Kennemetal Pole Qualifying Session, putting championship leader Allgaier on pole position in the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevy.

He’ll start on the front row alongside Rajah Caruth in the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Brandon Jones and Brent Crews and JRM’s Carson Kvapil round out the top-five on the starting grid. Defending race winner, Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill will take the green flag 26th.

In addition to Pulliam, who will start 12th, two other rookies in Luke Baldwin – son of Daytona 500 winning crew chief Tommy Baldwin – and Andrew Patterson will roll off 29th and 19th, respectively.

Justin Carroll and Dawson Cram did not make the show.