Justin Allgaier nearly made Homestead his last NASCAR race

gettyimages-2304458639 — MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet speaks to the Media during NASCAR Championship Driver Media Availability at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on November 10, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Justin Allgaier had no regrets about agreeing to an extension with JR Motorsports after winning a second NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Championship.

However, he did reflect on what the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway might have meant had he not agreed to continuing driving after the 2026 season.

“A lot of reflection, because I was quitting, and a lot of question marks as to what that looked like,” said Allgaier, who in November agreed to keep driving for JRM in a multiyear deal.

“Standing on the stage (for driver introductions) and speaking with my fellow competitors, and being present in the moment, I told a couple of them, ‘You know, this was going to be my last race ever, and I don’t know how I would have felt,’ had I been standing on the stage knowing that—with the emotion of the championship on the line—with all the things that could and will happen.

“I think I’m glad I made the choice that I made in that moment. There’s going to be a time where you’re not going to have the success, the lights aren’t going to be as bright, and it’s going to be a lot easier to walk away in that moment. But I think I made the right decision, and I’m happy with that.”

The extension gives Allgaier the opportunity to do something no other driver in the series has ever done—win a third championship.

“I saw that stat after the championship was over, and I think about all the people I’ve grown up idolizing in this series,” Allgaier said. “That’s a crazy stat. It really is.

“I’d love to win three. I would love to. I’ve seen Kyle (Larson) with the three (NASCAR Cup) trophies. It was cool to watch. But I said in the media center before the race, when I started my NASCAR journey, I wanted to win a race—just one—and to do what we’ve done and accomplish what we’ve accomplished is far exceeding any expectation I’ve ever had.”