NASCAR driver shares the “biggest” difference between IMSA car and NextGen Cup car

On Saturday afternoon, NASCAR Cup Series driver AJ Allmendinger was joined by former Xfinity standout Connor Zilisch for a preseason IMSA testing session at the iconic Daytona International Speedway. Soon after, the Kaulig Racing driver explained the difference between an IMSA car and the NextGen Cup car.

Driving the No. 60 Acura Meyer-Shank Racing prototype, Allmendinger was the third fastest in the two-day session. He teamed up with IndyCar champion Scott Dixon and IMSA SportsCar drivers Tom Blomqvist and Colin Braun. Zilisch, on the other hand, joined forces with Earl Bamber, Jack Aitken, and Frederik Vesti in the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac.

“There is definitely a lot to this car, a lot to learn,” Allmendinger explained. “Trying to just get as comfortable as possible [this weekend], the biggest thing compared to like the (NASCAR) Cup car is the steering is just so much heavier, hard to turn the steering wheel compared to a Cup car.”

Both Allmendinger and Zilisch have legitimate shots at winning the Rolex 24. Allmendinger won it back in 2012, but since 2021, the Los Gatos, California, native hasn’t competed in the coveted event. For Zilisch, it’s going to be his first attempt at the GTP level.

“It’s been really cool just to experience it all and kind of shift my mindset,” Zilisch said in a statement. “It’s a much different language. Everything is different when you come and do these races versus NASCAR. So, just getting adjusted, it’s been fun, it’s all good. It’s all learning for me and that’s what I enjoy most.”

On the NASCAR side of things, next up for Allmendinger and Zilisch is the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Scheduled for February 1, the 200-lap event will mark the beginning of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

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AJ Allmendinger reacts after capturing an unexpected NASCAR pole at Bristol

AJ Allmendinger won the pole for the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Night Race that took place on September 13 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Allmendinger was the fastest driver at qualifying.

The 43-year-old helped Kaulig Racing secure a pair of top fives in two of the most nail-biting races on the schedule- the Coca-Cola 600 and the Southern 500. Winning the pole gave him the confidence he needed to back his impressive pole run, his first one in a decade, with an equally befitting finish.

“Days like today are enjoyable and gives me confidence because I feel like I can still do it," the NASCAR driver said in a press conference. "And at the end of the day, anybody that knows me knows I'm by far the hardest on myself and I'm always going to be like that. That's never going to change.“

However, Allmendinger could only salvage a P36 finish as a non-playoff driver. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell won the event, thus making the Round of 12 segment.