AJ Allmendinger to Return to Cup Series

FRIDAY | 01.29.21 | CARROLL TIMES HERALD | PAGE 9 MENTOR FROM PAGE 8 the Jan. 24 press conference. “There (were) a lot of people in Iowa send- ing well wishes and they tuned in. I hope it’s like that for many, many, many, many battles we have for a lot larger stakes at some point.” The Raptors’ and Pacers’ Iowa connections went well beyond the leading characters as well. Former Ames High star Doug McDermott is one of the best shooters not only on the Pacers roster but in the entire league, while the Indiana franchise also is home to general man- ager Chad Buchanan, a West Des Moines Valley High School graduate. If those ties weren’t enough, Sioux City North graduate Brittni Don- aldson is a member of the Toronto bench under Nurse. Five Iowa connections in one NBA game makes for some pretty wild stuff. Like Toronto Star reporter Doug Smith said in Nurse’s pregame press conference Sunday, it probably felt like a holiday here in Iowa. Bjorkgren and Nurse don’t neces- sarily catch up often now since the two are leading entire professional organizations. The grind of an NBA season keeps everyone in constant PHOTO COURTESY OF THE INDYSTAR motion, and now that the duo is Indiana Pacers head coach Nate Bjorkgren (right) talks with Pacers guard Justin Holiday (8) on Sunday, Jan. 24, during on top of the coaching profession their game with Nick Nurse and the Toronto Raptors. in the same conference, any basketball talk usually is shelved when they do happen to carve out time. games, Toronto was 7-10 in 10th the coach said following Mon- an NBA job provides. He fits in chances to follow Bjorkgren’s new The days for advice and experi- in the East but just a game-and- day’s 15-point revenge win over perfectly. coaching endeavor. The way the mentation are done with. Things a-half back of the sixth-seeded the Raptors. “It’s the best shot in “It is very busy. My favorite duo fed off each other in Toronto are a bit more courteous and light Atlanta Hawks (8-8). basketball is getting to that dunk, part is when I’m with the team and Des Moines is not something during the season. The Pacers, on the other hand, a layup, to the free-throw line. on the court, in practices and in Nurse has forgotten, though. “”I don’t really spend a lot of time blitzed their way to a 6-2 start Trying to put constant pressure the games,” Bjorkgren said. “This “We obviously set and developed on the phone now talking like, ‘What before stumbling a bit as of late on your opponents, trying to cre- job entails a lot of responsibility. a philosophy together and had do we do against them? What should thanks to a string of injuries and ate good space so you and attack It’s managing players, managing success with it, both in the minors we do here?’ ” Bjorkgren said. “If we a league-altering trade. Indy is and finish at the rim. personalities, managing on the and the NBA,” Nurse said. “There’s text or talk, it’s really (not about) still sitting pretty with a 10-7 re- “If you’re aggressive and the de- court and off the court, helping a lot of similarities (between us), basketball, because we’re in such cord, firmly in fourth place in the fender is in the wrong position, the players in any way that I can but there are some glaring differ- competition mode with each other.” Eastern Conference. you’ll get that foul call.” and always being there for them. ences. I don’t want to point those Bjorkgren’s offensive style has Bjorkgren is very well spoken That’s not a challenging part. It’s out for our teams’ sake.” –– • –– the Pacers drawing fouls at a rate in press conferences and seems just a part I want to do very well. From what he knows and what the franchise hasn’t done in near- to have already commanded the “The games come at you quickly. he’s seen, Nurse is confident It’s been quite the up-and-down ly 10 years. Indiana is attacking respect of his Pacer players, some- The opponents and the players Bjorkgren will have a long, fruitful season for both the Pacers and the basket with remarkable in- thing he likely picked up from and the coaches are very good. career in the NBA. Maybe some- Raptors. tensity thanks to a solidly built years spent on the sidelines with You have to just constantly be day soon, the Pacers and Raptors Since opening the season at a lineup anchored by the sizable Nurse. The spotlight doesn’t faze preparing. You constantly have will square off in the playoffs with disappointing 2-8, Nurse’s third frames of Malcolm Brogdon and Bjorkgren, and why should it? He to be teaching and trying to im- a shot at the Finals on the line. year at the helm in Toronto, the Domantas Sabonis. That’s exact- took aim at his current position prove your team. That’s all part of Perhaps that’s the next pre- Raptors won five of their next six, ly how Bjorkgren wants it, the the moment he decided to give being a head coach in the NBA.” diction Nurse will conjure up. culminating with Sunday’s victory coach said. up on his teaching career, a few Since Nurse has his hands full It doesn’t seem too far-fetched, in Indy to push their record to “We want to attack the rim; we hundred miles south of Iowa. He trying to make a push for the NBA especially after all the pair has 7-9. Entering Wednesday’s slate of want to play through the hits,” cherishes the thrill and intensity playoffs, it doesn’t allow many been through. NASCAR Ty Gibbs will debut in Xfinity in 2021 AJ Allmendinger to Joe Gibbs Racing each week and it’s exciting to have cessful every week. him behind the wheel for every “I’m also really excited to have return to Cup Series Joe Gibbs Racing driver Ty race and the opportunity to go the opportunity to work with (crew Gibbs will compete for the ARCA after our goal of winning that chief) Chris Gayle to make my de- Kaulig Racing for Kaulig Racing’s first non-super- Menards Series Championship championship.” but in the Xfinity Series,” added speedway Cup race.” in 2021 and make his NASCAR In addition to competing in the Gibbs. “I can’t imagine a better AJ Allmendinger will make his Coined as a road-course ringer, Xfinity Series debut in the No. 54 ARCA Menards Series, Gibbs is situation for me to learn and be return to the NASCAR Cup Series Allmendinger recorded one win at Toyota Supra. slated to make his Xfinity Series able to compare notes, not only (NCS) with Kaulig Racing at the Watkins Glen International, three Gibbs, who captured an ARCA debut driving the No. 54 Toyota with my Series’ teammates like Daytona International Speedway top five and nine top-10 finishes on Menards Series-high six wins in Supra starting with the road course Brandon (Jones), Harrison (Bur- Road Course. road courses during his tenure in 2020 despite running a partial race in Daytona on February 20. ton) and Daniel (Hemric), but also Allmendinger, who is set to com- the NCS. He has also notched four schedule, will return to the No. Although his exact schedule in veterans like Kyle, Denny and Mar- pete in Kaulig Racing’s third, full- road course wins in the NXS, two of 18 Toyota Camry to run the full the Series is still being finalized, tin who I will share the car with.” time entry in the NASCAR Xfinity which he earned with Kaulig Racing. schedule and compete for the current plans qualify Gibbs to A full schedule to include driver Series (NXS) in 2021, last competed “Having AJ (Allmendinger) com- championship. In addition to his contend for the Sunoco Rook- assignments for JGR’s No. 54 Xfin- in the NCS in 2018 before retiring pete in our very first non-superspeed- six wins, Gibbs scored 12 top-five ie of the Year honors. He will be ity Series entry will be announced from full-time competition. way Cup race was really a no-brainer and 14 top-ten finishes in his 16 joined behind the wheel of the at a later date. “I am really looking forward to for us,” said Chris Rice, President starts last season to help claim the No. 54 Toyota Supra this season “I’m looking forward to the up- racing in the Cup Series once again, of Kaulig Racing. “Kaulig Racing is organization’s first ARCA Menards by veteran teammates Kyle Busch, coming season,” said Chris Gayle, but more importantly, I am pumped honored to be able to be get AJ back Series Owner’s Championship. In Denny Hamlin, and Martin Truex who will serve as crew chief for to be racing in the Cup Series for into the Cup Series for the first time addition, Gibbs also earned a win Jr., all of whom are scheduled to the JGR No. 54 Xfinity Series entry Kaulig Racing,” said Allmending- since his retirement. I think he will in six starts in the ARCA Menards run at least one race. in 2021. “Ty has already shown a er. “I keep wanting to help Kaulig pick right back up where he left off East Series.

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