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Justin Allgaier Gains Third Win of Season at Martinsville

Justin Allgaier Gains Third Win of Season at Martinsville
Photo Credit to Peter Stratta/TSJSports

NASCAR

Justin Allgaier Takes Third 2026 Victory, 31st of Career at Martinsville

RIDGEWAY, Va. – JR Motorsports is still the team to beat on Saturdays and their veteran driver seems as dangerous as ever. Justin Allgaier was victorious for the second time at Martinsville, thanks to another commanding Saturday drive. Now a three-time winner on the season, Allgaier only padded his early stranglehold atop the points standings.

From the pole, Allgaier remained perfect through Stage 1, leading every lap. Stage 2 went to Austin Hill’s favor after a late battle with Sam Mayer. The defending Martinsville spring winner in the No. 21 did come out on top here.

Allgaier’s march back through the field would be complete early in the final Stage, only to lose the lead to a new contender–Lee Pulliam. The short track ace making his NASCAR debut with JRM took over inside of 70 laps left, looking every bit as stout here as his racing résumé proves.

Pulliam’s dream debut race would only hit a major speed bump on a restart with 17 laps left. Missing a shift from second to third gear, Pulliam backed up the entire outside lane. This major incident would have 19 drivers involved, and a lot of fast cars taken out instantly.

Damage on Pulliam’s car left Allgaier largely unchallenged up front, only having to hit one more restart with five laps left. A last-lap incident between Brent Crews and Rajah Caruth gave the win to Allgaier a lap early.

“Just this team behind me,” Allgaier said. “I keep saying it, and I keep talking about how great this team is. We have fired off 2026 better than I ever could have imagined. So proud of the racecars we have brought to the racetrack. All of our partners, we can’t do it without them. Brandt Professional Agriculture on this car, and everyone else who helps us out. It was so cool looking up and watching all those Hendrick engines right with us. Just so proud of this team, I wish my wife and kids were here. My daughter Harper had a softball tournament, so I’m bummed she’s not here. Just the emotion. I said it last week, you get later on in your career and never know if you’ll win another one. To do it the way we’ve done it this year is pretty special. Everyone at JR Motorsports is just awesome.”

“Thank you to the fans, just what a cool racetrack, Martinsville. It doesn’t get any better than this place, the fans here are incredible. We had an autograph session earlier today, and it was just beyond your wildest dreams. Really appreciate that, and God is good.”

Behind Allgaier at the checkers were: Corey Day, Sammy Smith, Sheldon Creed, and Lee Pulliam. The rest of the Martinsville top-10 were: Austin Hill, Dean Thompson, Ross Chastain, Ryan Sieg, and Brent Crews. Hear from a few of these drivers below.

Allgaier now holds a 92-point advantage over second place in the O’Reilly Series standings, after three wins in four races. The 2024 champion appears to be as strong as ever to start the 2026 campaign, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

The Martinsville victory is also the 31st of Allgaier’s Saturday career. This mark ties pioneering legend Jack Ingram for sixth on the series’ all-time wins list.

O’Reilly Series competitors will be back on track Saturday from Rockingham Speedway. Their second-straight visit to The Rock has the chance to be even more wild and chaotic than last year’s race. The North Carolina Education Lottery 250 goes green at 2:30 p.m. ET on The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Written by Peter Stratta

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Photo credits to Peter Stratta/TSJSports

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