Does Justin Allgaier Deserve Another Cup Opportunity?

1. Did Justin Allgaier prove he belongs in the NASCAR Cup Series?

One of the most unfair labels placed upon the shoulders of a driver is to call them a career NASCAR Xfinity Series or NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver.

Just because a driver does not move up and have success in the NASCAR Cup Series does not make them a lesser driver. Having talent is not enough, you also need the situation that the driver is moving into to be solid ground.

Let’s take an alternate history arc. What if Joey Logano does not get a second chance in the Cup Series after his sart with Joe Gibbs Racing? Is he branded a bust? Ron Hornaday Jr. is one of the best drivers in the history of the Truck Series. To tag him as a lesser driver because he did not succeed in subpar equipment is foolish. The same goes for drivers like Randy LaJoie and Jason Keller, who were successful in the Xfinity Series but never quite had the factors line up for them over time in the highest level of NASCAR.

That’s why one of the things lost in Sunday’s (May 26) Coca-Cola 600 is the job that Justin Allgaier did. Getting into a car on a one-off chance is not easy. It does not matter how good the equipment is; you can’t press a magic button — even at Hendrick Motorsports. We saw that last year when Corey LaJoie filled in for Chase Elliott at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway and languished to a finish of 21st.

But Allgaier seemed to click with the No. 5 team, finishing 13th as rain ended the race early. Allgaier if nothing else proved a point at Charlotte Motor Speedway that even if it’s a part-time role, he should indeed be on a short list for any team looking for a new driver to step in.

2. A 600-mile race should stand on its own merit

The Coca-Cola 600 — the advertised distance, at least — is the longest race of the Cup season. It’s the truest test of endurance in the sport.

Make no mistake. It’s a crown-jewel event and always will and should be. This is not just any race, it’s the longest one. In most years, you find out who can dig the deepest in the final 100 extra miles than any other race on the schedule.

The race will always be in the shadow of the Indianapolis 500, and that’s OK. The longest race of the season should stand on its own merit. But you have to wonder how much of that test of grit and mettle means.

The Coca-Cola 600 and Indianapolis 500 are both staged on Memorial Day weekend. Both have their solemn and…