A big piece of the NASCAR Silly Season jigsaw puzzle has just fallen into place with an announcement from Kaulig Racing.
AJ Allmendinger has indeed returned to Kaulig Racing, but will be returning to the Xfinity Series full time with a handful of races in the Cup Series. He will be driving the number 16 car.
After two years in the Xfinity Series, Allmendinger ran in the Cup Series in 2023 but with much less success than he did in Xfinity.
Speaking on Allmendinger’s return to Xfinity, Kaulig Racing president Chris Rice said, “we feel AJ returning full time to our Xfinity Series program gives us the best chance to continue growing our organization as a whole. 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.”
Kaulig owner Matt Kaulig added, “to Kaulig Racing, AJ is much more than the trophies he’s won or the banners he’s hung in our shop. 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.”
Allmendinger will continue to play a vital role in both Kaulig Racing’s NXS and NCS programs in 2024.
Allmendinger himself spoke on his plans to remain at Kaulig saying, “my plans for 2024 have always been whatever Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice think is best for the team. 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 of everything we’re working on at Kaulig Racing and see what we can get done next season.”