Justin Allgaier to run full Cup schedule for Phoenix Racing

Everybody predicted it based on the races that Justin Allgaier ran last year. It was one of those, ‘you know it’s coming, you’re just waiting for it to be official’. The wait is over now as officially, Phoenix Racing has announced that Allgaier will run the full Sprint Cup Series schedule in 2014 for the team.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I intend to make the most of it,” Allgaier said in a team statement. “I am very grateful to [team owner] Harry Scott and Brandt for having faith in me to compete against the best drivers in the world.”

Allgaier will be one of the eight drivers contending for Rookie of the Year, in a group that includes Austin Dillon, Kyle Larson, Parker Kligerman, Ryan Truex and Alex Bowman.

“Justin has worked extremely hard to get to this level and he is ready to take the next step,” team owner Harry Scott said. “Working with competition director and crew chief Steve Addington, I think the No. 51 can turn some heads this year.”

Last season, Allgaier finished fifth in the Nationwide Series point standings driving for Turner-Scott Motorsports with six top fives and 16 top 10s.

He also made four Sprint Cup starts, with his best being a 24th place finish at Talladega. He will look to better those results this year with Steve Addington joining the team after being let go from Stewart-Haas Racing.

Phoenix Racing also announced that Brandt, an agriculture retail/manufacturing company, will be sponsoring Allgaier for 21 of the 36 races.

“We are proud to help field the ‘Ag’ car,” Brandt company president and CEO Rick Brandt said. “This is an effort to raise awareness and build a positive reputation for agriculture of all kinds. We believe passionately that agriculture is the essential industry and we’re doing our part to get that message out.”