Willie Allen Searches For Elusive All American 400 Victory

Willie Allen Searches For Elusive All American 400 Victory

Topics: Willie Allen, All American 400

Willie Allen Searches For Elusive All American 400 Victory

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
October 2, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (October 2, 2015) – In all of his trials and tribulations in his illustrious career of racing, there’s probably no victory that Willie Allen wants more than the trophy in the All-American 400.

The traditional fall event stands as a top priority for the Nashville native and it’s an event that the former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series star has been waiting for since a runner-up finish last year.

Seeing victory so close within his grasp, the preparation for Sunday’s event has never been more bellicose for Allen and his Willie Allen Racing (WAR) team.

The 31st annual All American 400 is a weekend long event and often noted as one of the most successful racing events held in the United States. The city of Nashville will be booming with many activities for racing fans to enjoy, in addition to the premier stock car racing at Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville.

“This is a race I look forward to each October,” said Allen. “For me, it’s our Daytona 500. It’s one of the most competitive races out there and it’s an opportunity for our team to go out there and give the fans someone to root on and support.”

Of course, while the event has fallen under scrutiny for various reasons throughout the years, the All American 400 has remained at its core base of Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville (FSN), once home of prior esteemed NASCAR Sprint Cup and XFINITY Series races.

“Scott Borchetta and Big Machine have poured their heart and soul into keeping this race in Nashville and at this historic track. Some of the best short track racers around the country were breed at Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville. It’s such a neat place with a historical background that makes it the perfect place for a Late Model race of its kind.”

Aiding to his benefit this weekend, Allen has turned hundreds of laps around FSN this season.

Though, turning more laps around FSN than some of his competition this season doesn’t necessarily play into the hands of the 2007 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year, but he realizes it can’t hurt either.

“There’s been six Pro Late Model races at Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville this year and our team has won four of them and I’m real proud of that,” added Allen. “But you can’t compare those races to the All-American 400. It’s comparing apples to oranges. There’s so much prestige on the line for Sunday’s race and that’s where experience can pay off.

“And sometimes even backfire.”

No matter what the outcome on Sunday, Allen is humbled to have the opportunity to race in front of his hometown crowd and without the help of his marketing partners.

Ms. Kelli’s Karaoke Bar (Printers Alley), Bob Farrar Builders, Smyrna (Tenn.) Ready Mix, Wendell Mobley’s Mobley Speed, WAR Shocks and WAR Ink will all serve as marketing partners for Sunday’s race.

“Everyone knows that it takes support to be able to race in these events and I feel I have some of the best (marketing) partners out there,” added Allen. “I love that we have a lot of local support for a local race. That’s almost like an extra incentive to go out there this weekend and not hold back.

“We’ve had a lot of these partners on the car all year long, but the opportunity to bring Bob Farrar Builders and have the support of Wendell Mobley is an added bonus for our team. It’s the Music City, so here’s to making a tune of our own in the All American 400.”

Mobley a successful Nashville songwriter whose current song “Ain’t No Trucks In Texas” produced by Rascal Flatts and sung by Ronnie Dunn continues to climb the Country-music charts ladder.

“There aren’t words to describe Wendell,” quipped Allen. “He’s just a great guys who enjoys the sights and sounds of race cars and the peace and harmony of great music. Without him, this team would not be complete and I hope he knows that.”

Allen’s fourth bid in the All American 400 is set.

Practice begins for the 31st-annual All-American 400 on Friday, October 2 with an open practice session from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. An additional practice has been etched in on Saturday, October 3 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Qualifying is set for the top-28 positions beginning at 4:00 p.m. A 100-lap last chance race available for six more positions is set for Saturday night following the local divisions. The green flag for the 400-lap event is scheduled for shortly after 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 4.

For more on Willie Allen, visit Facebook.com/willieallenracing or follow him on Twitter @WillieAllen26.

PHOTO CAPTION: Willie Allen, driver of the No. 26 Ms. Kelli’s Karaoke Bar / Bob Farrar Builders Chevrolet in the Pro Late Model division at Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville (FSN).

PHOTO CAPTION II: The No. 26 Ms. Kelli’s Karaoke Bar / Bob Farrar Builders Chevrolet in the Pro Late Model division at Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville (FSN) driven by Willie Allen.

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