When the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races back into the Monster Mile this fall, it will do so with quite a few drivers in new rides for new teams.

Of the numerous drivers that switched teams this off-season, none might have landed in a better situation than AJ Allmendinger, who left Richard Petty Motorsports to sign with Penske Racing as the new pilot of the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge.

Getty Images photo

A rising star in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, fans might not know a lot about Allmendinger. So read on to learn a few fun facts about one of the top young drivers in the sport, including where Dover International Speedway ranks for him in terms of his favorite tracks.

Favorites…

Sport: Aside from auto racing, to watch is football…to play is golf.

Sports Team: I’m a man without a team now that (Brett) Favre has retired. Gosh, guess Green Bay Packers?

Hobbies: Working out, golf and karting.

Food: Anything with chicken! Chicken and pasta. I also like “hole in the wall” Mexican.

Restaurant: JD Rockers has the best sandwiches and salads. El Torito has the best chips, salsa and tableside guacamole.

Movie: “Dumb and Dumber,” “Tommy Boy” and “Fast & the Furious.”

TV Show: “King of Queens,” “How I Met Your Mother” and old episodes of “Two and a Half Men.”

Music/Music Group: Five Finger Death Punch, Lupe Fiasco and Eminem.

Songs: “The Bleeding” by Five Finger Death Punch.

Race track: Dover International Speedway, or any one I win on.

City we race in: Las Vegas.

Person I Admire Most: I think it really would be my mom and dad. They have definitely been the most influential and the have sacrificed so much for me.

Biggest accomplishment in life: Right now, it is having signed with Roger Penske. I’m hoping we can revise that soon to say “having won my first Cup race with Roger Penske!”

If I wasn’t a race car driver, I would be a…? A sports commentator…I talk a lot.

Three things I’ve always wanted to do/try/visit: Race Le Mans. I’d like to visit Monaco. I wish I could be good enough to do an Iron Man [Triathlon], but I don’t think that will happen.

Worst moment of my career: Are you kidding? I can think of one or two, but honestly, I’m ready for 2012 and feel like this is a great new chapter. Out with the old!

Other jobs I’ve had: I worked at a jet ski shop. I filed at an office. Yeah, that was fun.

First (Personal) Car: Ford Ranger.

If I was an owner, I would hire ______ to be my driver? Why? Well right now, Smoke [Tony Stewart]. I think he’s the most talented driver out there in so many disciplines.

One thing most people don’t know about me is: At heart, I’m actually really shy.

What I did during the off-season: Ohhhhh, not much!

Goals for 2012: Pretty simple…win races, make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup!