AJ Allmendinger Bio: Career, Family, Wife, Crash, Controversy, And Net Worth
AJ Allmendinger, aka The Dinger, is an American professional stock car racing driver who competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series and part-time in the Xfinity Series for Kaulig Racing.
The two-time Cup Series winner began racing at age five, riding BMX bikes.
He quickly progressed to quarter-midgets and then karts, where he won two International Kart Federation Grand National championships.
In 2002, the 42-years-old racer competed in the Barber Dodge Pro Series and won the championship.
A year later, he was signed by RuSport to drive at Champ Car Atlantic Championship. He won the title and became the youngest driver to win a Champ Car race in 2003.
Allmendinger shifted gears to NASCAR, debuting in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2006.
Soon, he started racing in Xfinity Series and Cup Series, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Red Bull.
He won his first Xfinity Series race in 2013 (Johnsonville Sausage 200) and his first Cup Series in 2014 (Cheez-It 355 at The Glen).
Allmendinger has competed for several teams for the Cup Series, including Red Bull Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, Penske Racing, and JTG Daugherty Racing.
He has raced in 407 NASCAR Cup Series over 15 years, 94 NASCAR Xfinity Series races over 9 years, and 14 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races over 4 years.
Allmendinger’s Personal Life And Family
AJ Allmendinger’s relationship with his wife, Tara Meador, is no secret.
The couple met around 2015 and soon started dating.
After years of seeing each other, they exchanged vows and married in October 2019.
The happily married couple is expecting their first child together this August.
Previously, Allmendinger was married to Lynne Kushnirenko, a Canadian model and the 2003 Miss Molson Indy Canada.
They had met at a Champ Car race in Toronto in 2005 and tied the knot in January 2007.
Unfortunately, they had to part ways, so they filed for divorce in 2012.
More About AJ Allmendinger’s Wife
Tara Meador is most notably recognized as the former Mrs. North Carolina 2021.
She is a spokesperson for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and advocates for health and wellness.
She is deeply committed to making a difference in mental health as a ‘wellpreneur.’
She also co-founded the nonprofit organization, Hope for the Heart, which provides resources and support to people with mental health challenges.
She is helping to break down the stigma associated with mental illness and providing hope to those struggling.
Previously, she was an aquatic consultant and design associate at Aries Aquatics in North Carolina.
Likewise, she was also an assistant project manager and an aquatic consultant at Connor Construction Corp.
AJ Allmendinger’s Crash And Controversy
- In March 2023, Allmendinger was hit by Ryan Preece in the door area at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Sharing the experience, he said the accident knocked the wind out of him, and breathing for a little bit was tough. As big as the hit was, he thought it could have been worse, but it wasn’t horrible.
- During the Pala Casino 400 at the Auto Club Speedway of Southern California in February 2023, Allmendinger’s 16 Farm Smart Chevrolet came in contact with Ryan Blaney and Corey LaJoie. His car was sent off spinning, eventually hitting the inside wall. Though he wanted to continue, he was forced to retire, resulting in his 9th last-place finish in the NASCAR Cup Series.
- Allmendinger was arrested by Mooresville, North Carolina police in October 2009 for driving under the influence (DUI). Police pulled him over at 1:27 a.m. after they saw him driving erratically. NASCAR placed him on probation till December (2009) and fined him $10,000. He apologized for his actions and said he was “deeply sorry” for the embarrassment he had caused his fans, sponsors, team, and NASCAR.
- The Dinger was temporarily suspended from the July 2012 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway after failing a random drug test taken at Kentucky Speedway. NASCAR officials then suspended him indefinitely after his ‘B Sample,’ also turned out to be positive.
- Allmendinger finished third in the 2019 Circle K Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway, but he was disqualified after his car failed an engine vacuum test during a post-race inspection. The NASCAR Xfinity Series technical inspection team found that Allmendinger’s car had an illegal engine vacuum reading, violating NASCAR’s rules.
AJ Allmendinger’s Net Worth And Sponsorship
As per Celebrity Net Worth, Allmendinger has a net worth of $18 million as of 2024.
Credit goes to his racing career and Kaulig Racing’s sponsor, Nutrien Ag Solutions, who primarily has helped him garner such a hefty net worth.
Besides that, he offers an impressive range of merchandise, including stylish twill jackets, comfortable shirts, diecast cars, and collectibles that surely delight his fans.
Fond Memories Of Mr. Tickles With Allmendinger Couple
Mr. Tickles, a stray cat rescued by Allmendinger in 2015, became a beloved companion to the couple and traveled with them across the country.
But unfortunately, Mr. Tickles passed away unexpectedly on February 2023.
Sharing the news, Allmendinger expressed deep sadness, highlighting Mr. Tickles’ significant role as a family member.
His loss left a void in the lives of the Allmendinger family and their social media followers.
The couple now only owns a pet named Xena, a French bulldog he introduced to the world in December 2022.
He had adopted Xena during the lockdown to give Mr. Tickles, the family’s famous cat, company.
AJ Allmendinger’s Tribute To Late Racer Justin Wilson
“Life isn’t fair. We lost one of the great ones today.” Allmendinger said on Twitter on August 24, 2015, after his near and dear friend Justin Wilson died in a fatal crash.
Allmendinger was close friends with his former RuSPORT and Rolex 24 teammate Justin Wilson, a British professional open-wheel racing driver.
In the 2015 ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway, Sage Karam lost control of his car after passing a bump in the tarmac surface on the 179th lap.
His car crashed heavily against the wall, and the car’s nose was removed with utmost force.
Driving through the crash scene, Wilson got hit in the head with the nose cone and suffered a fatal head injury.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition but couldn’t be saved as his injuries were very critical.
Allmendinger paid tribute to Wilson during the final race of the 2015 Cup Series by displaying Wilson’s name above his Car’s window.
He also announced that he would only return to IndyCar racing if the series implemented cockpit protection.
Late British driver Justin Wilson demonstrated exceptional generosity and humanity when he announced donating his organs to those in need while he was struggling to live. Wilson’s brother, Stefan, announced on Twitter that his brother’s organs had been donated and had helped six people.
Interesting Facts
- AJ Allmendinger is nicknamed “The Dinger.”
- He won the 2004 Champ Car World Series Rookie of the Year award.
- Allmendinger made his NASCAR debut in the Craftsman Truck Series, driving for Bill Davis Racing at New Hampshire International Speedway on September 16, 2006.
- In 2016, he was a recurring driver analyst for Fox Sports’ NASCAR Race Hub.
- Allmendinger’s wife, Tara Meador, is an enthusiastic advocate for the Victoria’s Voice Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and commemorating life’s essence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is AJ Allmendinger’s Parents And Siblings?
AJ Allmendinger is the son of Greg and Karen Allmendinger. He has a younger sister named Abby.
Which Car does AJ Allmendinger drive?
Allmendinger drives Kaulig Racing’s No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
How many races Has AJ Allmendinger Won?
He has 17 total Xfinity Series wins, with 15 coming with Kaulig. His other two career Xfinity Series wins were with Team Penske.
