Tag: Kaulig Racing

Allmendinger returning to full-time Xfinity duty with Kaulig

AJ Allmendinger will return full-time to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024 with Kaulig Racing, the organization announced Thursday. “We feel AJ returning full time to our Xfinity Series program gives us the best chance to continue growing our …

AJ Allmendinger will return full-time to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024 with Kaulig Racing, the organization announced Thursday.

“We feel AJ returning full time to our Xfinity Series program gives us the best chance to continue growing our organization as a whole,” Chris Rice, Kaulig Racing team president, said. “He’s passionate, he’s aggressive, and he pushes us to keep getting better. We’re excited to see what we can accomplish in the 2024 season on both the Xfinity and Cup side.”

Allmendinger will be in the No. 16 Chevrolet, which he drove to 15 victories in the series between 2019 and 2023. That includes the 10 victories when Allmendinger was a championship contender in 2021 and ’22, finishing fourth and fifth respectively in the championship standings.

“To Kaulig Racing, AJ is much more than the trophies he’s won or the banners he’s hung in our shop,” said team owner Matt Kaulig. “AJ has always embraced what we are trying to do as an organization, and his contribution to the culture at Kaulig Racing is what truly makes him forever a part of our family.”

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Allmendinger moves back to the series after a full season in the Cup Series (his first since 2018 when driving for JTG Daugherty Racing). On his way to finishing 21st in the standings, Allmendinger took the organization to victory lane at the Charlotte Roval. It was their second career victory, and the first also came with Allmendinger (on the Indianapolis road course).

In addition to his Xfinity Series schedule, Allmendinger will run a limited Cup Series schedule with the team. Those details will be announced later.

“My plans for 2024 have always been whatever Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice think is best for the team,” Allmendinger said. “We’ve got work to do on both our Xfinity and Cup side as we continue to grow but I think we are putting ourselves in the best position to keep improving. With Josh Williams coming on board, it’ll be fun to learn each other’s driving styles and work together as teammates on Saturdays. I’m excited to be a part everything we’re working on at Kaulig Racing and see what we can get done next season.”

Kaulig Racing teases big NASCAR announcement coming on Thursday

Kaulig Racing teases that a big NASCAR announcement could be coming on Thursday. What could Kaulig Racing be announcing for 2024?

[autotag]Kaulig Racing[/autotag] still has some unknowns regarding its driver lineup for the 2024 NASCAR season. Daniel Hemric will pilot the No. 31 Cup car in place of Justin Haley while Josh Willimas moves over to the No. 11 Xfinity car. There have been other rumors, such as Ty Dillon and A.J. Allmendinger, but nothing has been confirmed. Now, an announcement could be coming.

On Tuesday night, Kaulig Racing posted a picture of what appears to be the back of Allmendinger on X with the caption “12.7.23.” The post was created at 10:16 PM EST, representing the two numbers currently open for the team’s NASCAR Xfinity Series program. This is due to Chandler Smith leaving the organization after one year.

To make a prediction, it would seem fitting to announce that Allmendinger will drive full-time in the No. 10 or No. 16 Xfinity car in 2024. Maybe there could also be an announcement regarding part-time driving in the NASCAR Cup Series. Either way, Kaulig Racing seems to have something up their sleeves once again for Thursday.

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Josh Williams to join Kaulig Racing for 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season

Kaulig Racing announced on Thursday morning that Josh Williams will drive the No. 11 Xfinity car for the organization in 2024.

Another underdog story in NASCAR has been given life. On Thursday morning, [autotag]Kaulig Racing[/autotag] announced that [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag] will drive the No. 11 Xfinity car in 2024. This comes after Daniel Hemric, who drove the entry for the last two seasons, was elevated to the NASCAR Cup Series to replace Justin Haley in the No. 31 car.

Williams was full-time with DGM Racing in 2023 and has spent the last six years in lower-tier equipment. Now, the 30-year-old driver undoubtedly has the best full-time equipment in his career. Williams is the first driver officially announced for Kaulig Racing’s Xfinity Series program and it came as a surprise to many in the sport.

Overall, this is a great partnership for both sides as Kaulig Racing has been known to give drivers a shot in NASCAR. Williams is the next driver to receive an opportunity and it will be fascinating to track his progress in top-tier equipment. It may take some time; however, Williams could compete for wins during the 2024 NASCAR season.

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Kaulig Racing teases possible announcement coming soon in 2023

Kaulig Racing teases that a possible announcement could be coming soon in 2023. When and what could the NASCAR team announce for 2024?

[autotag]Kaulig Racing[/autotag] has been one of the major stories during NASCAR silly season as the organization faces the possibility of overhauling its lineup. In the Cup Series, Daniel Hemric will replace Justin Haley in the No. 31 car while A.J. Allmendinger is likely to return to the Xfinity Series. However, could we get an answer on Kaulig Racing’s plans sooner rather than later?

In a video released by Kaulig Racing president Chris Rice, he revealed that the organization might have an announcement on November 16, which would be on Thursday. What could be Kaulig Racing’s announcement? One idea is that Ty Dillon will officially be named the driver of the No. 16 Cup car in 2024 as several places have reported the likelihood.

If not, it could be related to the NASCAR team’s Xfinity Series program as there are currently no full-time drivers for 2024. Chandler Smith is likely to leave for Joe Gibbs Racing while Hemric left the No. 11 car. With so many unknowns at Kaulig Racing, any announcement on Thursday would give some clarity to the team’s plans for next season.

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Ty Dillon labeled the ‘favorite’ to join Kaulig Racing in NASCAR Cup Series for 2024

Ty Dillon has been labeled as the “favorite” to replace A.J. Allmendinger in Kaulig Racing’s open No. 16 Cup car for the 2024 NASCAR seaon.

[autotag]Kaulig Racing[/autotag] is undergoing a lot of changes within its driver lineups as the 2023 NASCAR season comes to a close. Daniel Hemric will move up to the organization’s No. 31 Cup car while Chandler Smith is expected to join Joe Gibbs Racing in 2024. However, A.J. Allmendinger is likely to move back to Kaulig Racing’s Xfinity program, which leaves this driver as the favorite for the No. 16 Cup car.

According to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Ty Dillon is the “favorite” to replace Allmendinger at Kaulig Racing in the No. 16 Cup car next season. Dillon currently drives for Spire Motorsports but his No. 77 car has been given to Carson Hocevar for the 2024 NASCAR season. Dillon has a best-finish of 19th place at Texas Motor Speedway during the 2023 playoffs.

The 31-year-old driver has been linked to Kaulig Racing for a long time and it appears that he could be the choice for the No. 16 car. Dillon would undoubtedly have the best equipment of his Cup Series career as Kaulig Racing has the ability to win races. While nothing is official, Dillon could be on his way to the race team sooner rather than later.

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3 candidates for Kaulig Racing in NASCAR Xfinity Series for 2024

Kaulig Racing might need to replace its entire NASCAR Xfinity Series driver lineup so here are three good candidates for the seats in 2024!

[autotag]Kaulig Racing[/autotag] likely needs to overhaul its NASCAR Xfinity Series lineup due to Daniel Hemric’s promotion and Chandler Smith’s expected departure to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2024. As of now, A.J. Allmendinger is likely to join the Xfinity Series program but what about the other rides? Here are three realistic candidates for a possible seat.

[autotag]Derek Kraus[/autotag] should be the top option as Kaulig Racing loves what he brings to the program. Kraus has competed in seven races with the organization for three top-10 finishes and a 13.7 average finishing position. The 22-year-old driver has shown promise in his select starts and would be in a good position with Allmendinger possibly mentoring him throughout his first full-time season.

[autotag]Layne Riggs[/autotag] would also be a good choice for Kaulig Racing in 2024. Riggs has competed in two races with the organization during the 2023 Xfinity Series playoffs and has a best finish of 10th place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 21-year-old has impressed in his NASCAR starts since the beginning of the 2022 season and would be worthy of an opportunity.

Finally, [autotag]Jeffrey Earnhardt[/autotag] would be a quality option and likely represent the best full-time equipment in his career. Earnhardt previously earned a second-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway in 2022 with Richard Childress Racing so he can compete if given the car. The 34-year-old driver could also bring sponsorship, which would help out the program.

Any driver out of the trio of Kraus, Riggs, and Earnhardt would be a good option for Kaulig Racing in 2024. Kraus likely serves as the most reasonable option as he has the most recent experience with the organization; however, Riggs and Earnhardt would be good too. Overall, Kaulig Racing should have options available and it will make for an interesting outcome.

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Ty Dillon remains a candidate for Kaulig Racing in Cup and Xfinity Series

Ty Dillon remains a candidate to join Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Cup or Xfinity Series for the 2024 season.

[autotag]Kaulig Racing[/autotag] has a decision to make regarding its 2024 driver lineups in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series as speculation continues to spread about the team’s future. As of now, A.J. Allmendinger is likely to join Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series for the 2024 season, which would leave an opening in the No. 16 Cup car. Well, who could replace Allmendinger in the entry?

According to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Ty Dillon remains a candidate to join Kaulig Racing in the Cup or Xfinity Series in 2024. Dillon is currently without a ride for next season after it was announced that Carson Hocevar will drive the No. 77 Cup car for Spire Motorsports. The 31-year-old driver’s connection to Kaulig Racing is becoming louder and louder.

Dillon has been linked to the NASCAR organization for over a month and continues to have his name pop up in conversations. It is unknown whether the North Carolina native is more likely to join the Cup or Xfinity Series. Dillon is also not expected to join Richard Childress Racing in the Xfinity Series so Kaulig Racing seems to be his primary location if these reports are correct.

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Kaulig coy on No.16 plans for 2024

Kaulig Racing has its 2024 plans decided for its No. 16 entry in the NASCAR Cup series but isn’t ready to share them. “We do want to win races and we love AJ [Allmendinger],” team owner Matt Kaulig said on Sunday night after Allmendinger won at the …

Kaulig Racing has its 2024 plans decided for its No. 16 entry in the NASCAR Cup series but isn’t ready to share them.

“We do want to win races and we love AJ [Allmendinger],” team owner Matt Kaulig said on Sunday night after Allmendinger won at the Charlotte Roval. “We haven’t all decided … actually, we just haven’t announced yet exactly what we’re doing. I think we’re pretty clear on what we’re doing, we just haven’t announced anything.”

“I actually defer most of these questions to Chris [Rice].”

Allmendinger has stated for months that he will do whatever Kaulig Racing wants him to do, whether it’s remain in the Cup Series or move back to the Xfinity Series. The 41-year-old took over the ride this season, his first year back full-time at the Cup Series level since 2018.

In the two seasons that Allmendinger has spent driving for Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series, he won 10 races. Allmendinger finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the championship standings in 2021 and 2022.

Allmendinger would prefer to be at the top level. However, the decision facing Kaulig Racing appears to be about financials and not Allmendinger’s performance.

“Wait for the announcement,” Rice said.

Daniel Hemric will drive the organization’s No. 31 entry next season. Both of its entries have charters and must run the full season.

Kaulig Racing provides big update on No. 16 Cup car for 2024

Kaulig Racing provides a big update about the status of the No. 16 Cup car following A.J. Allmendinger’s win at the Charlotte ROVAL.

[autotag]Kaulig Racing[/autotag] has been at the center of NASCAR silly season for the last few months but the attention was taken away on Sunday afternoon. A.J. Allmendinger drove the No. 16 car to victory lane at the Charlotte ROVAL for an emotional win. It was a great moment as Allmendinger said he took it all in because “you never know” if you’re going to win a NASCAR Cup Series race again.

Well, there could be a reason behind that comment from Allmendinger. According to The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi, all indications suggest Allmendinger will be full-time with Kauilg Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series next year. The driver of the No. 16 car would return to the Xfinity Series after one year as a full-time driver in the Cup Series.

Also, Kaulig Racing owner Matt Kaulig said in the post-race press conference that the organization knows what it is doing with the No. 16 car in 2024 but it hasn’t been announced yet. It will be interesting to see what Kaulig Racing decides to do with the No. 16 car but the most logical option would be allowing Allmendinger to stick around for another year.

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Allmendinger grabs emotional win at Roval elimination race

Road course aficionado AJ Allmendinger stole some thunder from the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff drivers with a convincing victory in Sunday’s Bank of America Roval 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. Driving the No. 16 Kaulig Racing …

Road course aficionado AJ Allmendinger stole some thunder from the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff drivers with a convincing victory in Sunday’s Bank of America Roval 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.

Driving the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, Allmendinger led twice for a race-high 46 laps, including the last 33, and beat runner-up William Byron to the finish line by 0.666s to win his first Cup race of the season, his first at the Charlotte Road Course and the third of his Cup Series career—all on road courses.

Kyle Busch finished third at the 2.32-mile, 17-turn circuit, two spots short of the win he need to advance to the Playoffs’ Round of 8. Joining Busch on the Playoff elimination list were Ross Chastain (who finished 10th), Bubba Wallace (16th) and Brad Keselowski (18th).

 

Allmendinger took the lead for the final time when Ryan Blaney pitted from the top spot on lap 77, under caution for a wreck in the frontstretch chicane involving Denny Hamlin, Ty Dillon and Mike Rockenfeller.

The 41-year-old from Los Gatos, Calif., survived four more cautions and four more restarts before he completed what he termed “the drive of my life.”

Allmendinger was weeping during the cool-down lap and teared up in his post-race interview.

“I hate crying right now, but it’s a freaking Cup race, man,” he said. “You don’t know when it’s ever going to happen again…

“This is why you do it. This is the only reason you do it. You fight. All the blood, sweat, tears, everybody at Kaulig Racing has just been such… I’d say a down year, but up-and-down year. It’s our second year in the Cup Series.”

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Byron and Ryan Blaney already had advanced to the Round of 8 in the Playoffs by virtue of their respective victories at Texas and Talladega.

Joining them in the next round, which starts next Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, are Tyler Reddick (who ran sixth from the pole on Sunday), Denny Hamlin (37th), Christopher Bell (15th), Chris Buescher (seventh), Kyle Larson (who started from the rear in a backup car and finished 13th) and Martin Truex Jr. (20th).

The regular-season champion, Truex, claimed the final berth in the Round of 8 by 12 points over Chastain, the first driver out.

Ill-fortune that befell Chase Elliott near the end of Stage 2 facilitated Allmendinger’s victory. Just as Elliott, the race leader, was approaching pit road to “short” the stage, BJ McLeod’s spin in Turn 4 caused the second of seven cautions and forced NASCAR to close pit road.

Elliott steered back to the racing surface and won the stage but lost critical track position after pitting during the stage break and never regained it. He finished ninth behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman.

Ty Gibbs came home fourth, followed by Joey Logano.

After a strong run from start to finish, Busch was philosophical about his exit from the Playoffs.

“The guys gave me a great piece today,” he said. “The Lenovo Camaro was pretty fast, just lacked a little bit on the long run, just didn’t quite have the feel of the tire that I was really looking for to be able to turn into the corners and to be able to drive out of the corners and keep pace with the front two there at the end.

“But overall, this ride is on me anyways. The first two weeks of this round were obviously not very good, and we didn’t score any points. That’s where it’s at. That’s where it lies. Texas, Talladega, just not being able to execute and do a good job when points were on the line.”

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