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AJ Allmendinger shreds ECR after engine explodes early in Kansas NASCAR race

JHby:Jonathan Howard•05/11/25•

Jondean25

AJ Allmendinger
© Matthew OHaren-Imagn Images

Only seven laps into the race today, and AJ Allmendinger has had his engine blow up on him. He is anything but happy right now. Almost immediately, the NASCAR driver went wild on the radio, blaming ECR Engines for the failure.

AJ Allmendinger is saying out loud what Ross Chastain has more or less been saying for weeks. ECR Engines are lacking speed and reliability. Straight up.

After having his engine blow up on him, Allmendinger got on his radio. He was furious.

“Hey ECR, you guys f***ing suck,” Allmendinger said, via Jeff Gluck of The Athletic. “Lose the engine?” someone on his crew asked. “Yeah, shockingly.”

“I mean, what … f*** you guys!” Allmendinger continued. Then there were even more expletives off of the radio that were picked up on the in-car camera.

Is AJ Allmendinger right? Are the Trackhouse, RCR, and Kaulig struggles to blame on ECR Engines? I’ve heard crazier theories.

Between this blowup and the recent words from Ross Chastain about qualifying speed, I think ECR Engines are a cause for concern. While AJ Allmendinger has had good runs this season, three top-10s already through 11 races, he has struggled as well. There have been races where he isn’t even involved in the top-20.

Kaulig Racing is all about maximizing opportunities. You can’t maximize anything if your engine goes up in smoke within the first 10 laps of the race. A really tough break for the No. 16 team and Allmendinger. They have definitely had better moments than this.

AJ Allmendinger can look forward to Mexico City

In a few weeks, the NASCAR Cup Series is heading to Mexico City to race in a massive weekend for the sport. That is where AJ Allmendinger can really maximize his potential and try to steal a win, and a spot in the playoffs, from someone else. A win would shake up the postseason.

Allmendinger is more than capable of winning at Mexico City. However, it will be difficult. These one-off races or special first-ever events are coveted. Everyone wants to be the guy who wins the race no one else has one. Mexico City will be a tough battle.

In the Next Gen car, road course racing has become more intense. It is far more competitive. No longer is it just a handful of drivers who are capable of winning these races. There is a good third of the field that could find themselves in victory lane on the left and right turns.

AJ Allmendinger is frustrated now. Maybe in a few weeks, he will be celebrating and shouting in Victory Lane.