By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer

By winning Saturday night’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Martinsville Speedway, JR Motorsports veteran Justin Allgaier further separated himself from the competition.

With already three wins in the series’ first seven races (including three of the last four) Allgaier now commands a staggering 92-point lead on second-place Jesse Love in the standings.

One would say it’s a rare feat this early in any given season… until you look at the standings in the Cup Series where Tyler Reddick is riding a historic calendar kick-off. The 23XI Racing driver has won four of the first six premier series races and holds a 95-point advantage on the field heading into Martinsville.

Two drivers, two powerful starts to their respective seasons.

“This is a win for the short guys right now,” Allgaier joked. “We’re the same height so maybe we have a very low center of gravity in these racecars and that’s what the difference is.”

Though their height indeed mirrors one another, their stature on the race track is what’s grabbing the headlines in 2026 and Allgaier praises Reddick for achieving what he has to start the year on the sport’s top level.

“Not taking away anything from the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, but to do what they’re doing on the Cup side is mind blowing to me,” he said. “I’m sure some would say the same about what we’re doing in our series.

“I just know the amount of work that it takes and dedication it takes in all three touring series is insane to me. The men and women who work on these cars — look, I get to be the driver and have the accolades for these wins but it takes every man and woman who touches that racecar on a weekly basis to pull the rope in the right direction.”

“[Reddick] is riding the same high that we are. But in this sport it goes without saying that momentum is a real tangible thing. And it’s so easy to lose it and so hard to gain it.

“When you’re firing on all eight cylinders, you better maximize it. If not, there are plenty of others who want to fill that void.”

2026 is a year more important than ever to finish up front on a weekly basis. The returning Chase format has given drivers a 20-point bonus for winning a race. And with extended point bonuses for the Chase re-seed come September, having a large point gap now will be of significant benefit in the run for the title.

“Andrew [Overstreet, crew chief] spent a lot of time this offseason on comradery,” he said. “It is not easy to have five teams in our shop that are all battling up front every week. When he got this opportunity, he said he didn’t want to waste it.

“If I’m also being frank, I’m probably in the spot of my career where I’m having the most fun. I know that sounds dumb but I know the days are coming closer to an end than to starting. I’m watching these young kids figure out, what used to takes us years, it seems they figure out in minutes.

“I’m proud of what we accomplish. I don’t know when or if the last win is here, but I’m gonna enjoy every one of them while we got them.”