A driver’s diary - A.J. Allmendinger

Well, tonight is the race and we are starting 31st.

We weren't too thrilled with that. The car got loose and we just didn't get as good a time as we thought we would, but Richmond is a 400-lap race so if we can get our PVA.Org "Kings Cup Karting for a Cause" Dodge working like we want then we will be fine.

What I am really saying is our starting spot doesn't really matter. We spent a lot of time working on our race setup so I feel pretty good for tonight.

Now we are totally focused on the race. Race day starts long before the television broadcast comes on or the green flag flies.

Nearly all the drivers stay in motor homes at the track. We do it because we travel so much and because traffic can be a challenge. We probably spend as much time in our motor home as we do our regular homes.

I'll try to sleep in and then our first item on the agenda is an appearance for Sprint and the Paralyzed Veterans of America at 3:10 p.m. The PVA is sponsoring a go-kart race with Richard Petty on May 19 in Mooresville, N.C. They are raising money for a great cause and we hope to bring a lot of attention to the PVA tonight with our paint scheme.

Right after that we will go to the Richard Petty Motorsports souvenir hauler to sign autographs. The first 100 people who come by the hauler are guaranteed an autograph. Usually I'll sign more until I have to head back into the track. That's when I meet with my crew chief, Sammy Johns, and go over whatever changes and strategy my crew has planned for the race.

At 5:30 p.m. we go to a mandatory NASCAR driver/crew chief meeting where NASCAR will go over any rules unique to this track.

After that meeting ends I try to get something to eat and drink. These are long, hot races so you have to make sure you don't get dehydrated or anything like that during the race. Around 6:50 p.m. I'll put on my driver uniform and then go out to driver introductions.

After a final pit stop it's on to the race car. I stand outside the car for the national anthem and prayer. Then it's show time and we fire the engines.

Hopefully we will be celebrating a good run tonight! We'll get up whenever on Sunday and drive back to Charlotte, then fly to Daytona for testing on Monday and Tuesday. When I get home from Daytona, it's off to Darlington on Thursday and the weekend starts all over again.

It's a pretty good life . . .