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Brandt Consolidated to sponsor Allgaier in 2011
By Byron Painter
Editor
Riverton’s Justin Allgaier was worried about his future after Verizon pulled out of sponsoring his NASCAR Nationwide Series ride with Penske Racing, but thanks to a local
company, Allgaier has a sponsor for 17 races next year.
Springfield-based Brandt Consolidated will be sponsoring Allgaier in the No. 31 Chevrolet Impala in 2011.
“When everything came out, I was disappointed,” said Allgaier, who admitted he was ‘nervous’ about his future. “But this is a great day.”
He is “very excited” to be working with Brandt, which was founded in 1953 to help Illinois farmers adopt new technologies for their operations. Today, the company is a
global enterprise consisting of three operating divisions: Specialty Formulations, Retail Agronomy and Dealer Support. This will mark Brandt’s first endeavor as a primary
sponsor with a NASCAR team.
Allgaier’s family had never directly dealt with Brandt, but some of his friends had, and “I kind of hoped there would be a way to work with a Springfield company,” said
Allgaier, referring to Levi, Ray and Shoup’s relationship with NHRA driver Tim Wilkerson.
With NASCAR’s ethanol initiative now calling for an E15 blend, “it is the right opportunity at the right time” for Brandt and Allgaier to team up, said the affable Riverton High
School graduate.
When Allgaier signed with Penske a few years ago, “I really did not envision racing anywhere else ever, but unfortunately it did not work out that way.”
Verizon’s sponsorship opportunities were limited because rival Sprint sponsors the championship series, but Allgaier spoke highly of that company.
“We had a great relationship with Verizon, and I would not change the last two years for anything,” he said.
While Turner Motorsports and Brandt are not large corporate entities, Allgaier said that will not be a detriment to his future.
“I feel the experience and knowledge is there, and the equipment level is going to be there,” said Allgaier. “I do not think we will miss a beat.
“It gives me the determination and motivation to dig a little deeper” for his new sponsor and team.
Having a local company on board can only grow interest in racing, Allgaier said.
“Being from Central Illinois and knowing how much support we have and how many fans we have,” he said, “and to join forces with Brandt and Turner and ignite that
hometown connection, I am really excited.
“This is not just a great opportunity for me, but for all of Central Illinois,” he continued.
Brandt President and CEO, Rick C. Brandt, is very enthusiastic about the company’s jump into NASCAR Nationwide Series competition.
“We are extremely excited to team up with Justin and Turner Motorsports for the 2011 racing season,” said Brandt. “Brandt is an exciting, aggressive and family values-
based company. We feel we are teaming up with a driver who embodies these same qualities, and we are looking forward to seeing him exemplify that on the track. Coming
from the small town of Pleasant Plains, Illinois and having the opportunity to team with such a great driver from nearby Riverton, Illinois adds to the excitement of the
collaboration! Also, NASCAR’s upcoming transition to ethanol fuel embodies Brandt’s leadership as a premier producer of environmentally sustainable products for
agriculture. We look forward to representing American farmers on the track!”
Allgaier has made a name for himself coming through the national stockcar racing ranks. “Little Gator,” a nickname Allgaier earned for his size and aggressive nature
behind the wheel, started racing Midget and Sprint cars at age six before moving onto stockcars as a teenager. After capturing the ARCA Racing Series championship in
2008, he graduated to the NASCAR Nationwide Series the following year and claimed the Rookie of the Year honors with three top-five and 12 top-10 finishes.
The 24-year-old scored his first NNS victory in 2010 at Bristol Motor Speedway and rounded out the season with two pole awards, eight top-five and 20 top-10 finishes.
He was the top finisher (fourth) of those drivers who competed exclusively in the Nationwide Series.
NASCAR is considering changing the points situation in the Nationwide, where Sprint Cup drivers can compete in the Nationwide races, but not earn points toward the
series championship.
By Byron Painter
Editor
Riverton’s Justin Allgaier was worried about his future after Verizon pulled out of sponsoring his NASCAR Nationwide Series ride with Penske Racing, but thanks to a local
company, Allgaier has a sponsor for 17 races next year.
Springfield-based Brandt Consolidated will be sponsoring Allgaier in the No. 31 Chevrolet Impala in 2011.
“When everything came out, I was disappointed,” said Allgaier, who admitted he was ‘nervous’ about his future. “But this is a great day.”
He is “very excited” to be working with Brandt, which was founded in 1953 to help Illinois farmers adopt new technologies for their operations. Today, the company is a
global enterprise consisting of three operating divisions: Specialty Formulations, Retail Agronomy and Dealer Support. This will mark Brandt’s first endeavor as a primary
sponsor with a NASCAR team.
Allgaier’s family had never directly dealt with Brandt, but some of his friends had, and “I kind of hoped there would be a way to work with a Springfield company,” said
Allgaier, referring to Levi, Ray and Shoup’s relationship with NHRA driver Tim Wilkerson.
With NASCAR’s ethanol initiative now calling for an E15 blend, “it is the right opportunity at the right time” for Brandt and Allgaier to team up, said the affable Riverton High
School graduate.
When Allgaier signed with Penske a few years ago, “I really did not envision racing anywhere else ever, but unfortunately it did not work out that way.”
Verizon’s sponsorship opportunities were limited because rival Sprint sponsors the championship series, but Allgaier spoke highly of that company.
“We had a great relationship with Verizon, and I would not change the last two years for anything,” he said.
While Turner Motorsports and Brandt are not large corporate entities, Allgaier said that will not be a detriment to his future.
“I feel the experience and knowledge is there, and the equipment level is going to be there,” said Allgaier. “I do not think we will miss a beat.
“It gives me the determination and motivation to dig a little deeper” for his new sponsor and team.
Having a local company on board can only grow interest in racing, Allgaier said.
“Being from Central Illinois and knowing how much support we have and how many fans we have,” he said, “and to join forces with Brandt and Turner and ignite that
hometown connection, I am really excited.
“This is not just a great opportunity for me, but for all of Central Illinois,” he continued.
Brandt President and CEO, Rick C. Brandt, is very enthusiastic about the company’s jump into NASCAR Nationwide Series competition.
“We are extremely excited to team up with Justin and Turner Motorsports for the 2011 racing season,” said Brandt. “Brandt is an exciting, aggressive and family values-
based company. We feel we are teaming up with a driver who embodies these same qualities, and we are looking forward to seeing him exemplify that on the track. Coming
from the small town of Pleasant Plains, Illinois and having the opportunity to team with such a great driver from nearby Riverton, Illinois adds to the excitement of the
collaboration! Also, NASCAR’s upcoming transition to ethanol fuel embodies Brandt’s leadership as a premier producer of environmentally sustainable products for
agriculture. We look forward to representing American farmers on the track!”
Allgaier has made a name for himself coming through the national stockcar racing ranks. “Little Gator,” a nickname Allgaier earned for his size and aggressive nature
behind the wheel, started racing Midget and Sprint cars at age six before moving onto stockcars as a teenager. After capturing the ARCA Racing Series championship in
2008, he graduated to the NASCAR Nationwide Series the following year and claimed the Rookie of the Year honors with three top-five and 12 top-10 finishes.
The 24-year-old scored his first NNS victory in 2010 at Bristol Motor Speedway and rounded out the season with two pole awards, eight top-five and 20 top-10 finishes.
He was the top finisher (fourth) of those drivers who competed exclusively in the Nationwide Series.
NASCAR is considering changing the points situation in the Nationwide, where Sprint Cup drivers can compete in the Nationwide races, but not earn points toward the
series championship.
Issue Date: Dec. 16, 2010
