 On December 21, 2011, A. J. Allmendinger was announced as the driver for the 2012 season, moving over from Richard Petty Motorsports.He would team up with newly promoted crew chief Todd Gordon after the departure of Steve Addington to Stewart-Haas Racing.Allmendinger got off to a slow start to the season, but took advantage of a late wreck among the leaders to finish second at Martinsville.