Pocono II: AJ Allmendinger preview

STATESVILLE, N.C.-- Few drivers can document their improvement over the last season like AJ Allmendinger. This year he's scored nearly 900 more points after the first 20 races of the season than he did in 2008. The Richard Petty Motorsports driver has posted three of his four best career finishes since climbing behind the wheel of his No. 44 Valvoline Dodge. His third place finish at Daytona highlights the season so far.

IMPROVEMENT-- "I feel a lot better than I did last year. I like where I am at. We still have a lot of work to do and I think those stats will be even better next season. We have had some great runs that don't show in the results. Pocono is a great example. We probably had a top ten finish here last time but ran out of gas on the final corner and finished 30th. We're better than the numbers you see.

"We put this deal together so late in the off season. (Crew Chief) Sammy Johns and my crew have done an incredible job. It's not easy in this sport. You run real well one weekend then struggle the next. You can never relax, but the reward is incredible. This is the toughest series in the world so it isn't supposed to be easy."

* This race marks Allmendinger's 65th start in Sprint Cup.

* Allmendinger will sign autographs at his merchandise hauler at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday in Pocono.

-credit: rpm