How Impactful Will Kaulig Racing Be In 2024 After a Not So Successful Cup Series Stint by AJ Allmendinger?

What started off as a year wherein Kaulig Racing was confident in its pairing with AJ Allmendinger for the Cup Series, ended in heartbreak after the team failed to make it to the round of 16. However, the team boss has different plans in store for Allmendinger’s 2024 season!

Earlier this week, Kaulig Racing announced their decision to strengthen their Xfinity Series lineup including AJ Allmendinger alongside Josh Williams. The no.16 driver who made his Kaulig Racing debut as a part-time Xfinity Series driver returns to his roots for the next season. But is the gamble with the Cup Series worth it?

Will Allmendinger’s Xfinity Series return pay off?

The North Carolina-based outfit had potentially jumped the gun on its Cup Series challenge with Allmendinger, who scored an emotional victory at the Bank of America Roval 400. Rethinking their strategy heading into 2024, the team believes AJ Allmendinger is the right man to help Kaulig Racing contest for the Xfinity Series championship.

Chris Rice, the president of Kaulig Racing shared his optimism about Allmendinger’s move to the Xfinity Series in a statement, “We feel AJ [Allmendinger] returning full time to our Xfinity Series program gives us the best chance to continue growing our organization as a whole.” The Kaulig Racing boss also commended Allmendinger on his passion and aggression, pointing out his ability to push beyond the breaking point to get the best result possible.

The importance that Allmendinger holds in team owner Matt Kaulig’s eyes extends far beyond his competence as well. Kaulig reflected on how his star driver understands the team’s long-term goals and focuses on much more than just the elusive victory. He shared, “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.”

Speaking of family, the statement couldn’t ring any closer to home for Allmendinger, whose NASCAR flame was relit by Kaulig Racing in 2017 before which he was working as an NBC Analyst. Given his ability to deliver in the most pressurized environments, the decision to switch Allmendinger to the Xfinity Series not only has the potential to make Kaulig Racing a race-winning team on the regular but also a championship contender.

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But it takes more than a single driver to uplift a team in dire straits, and Allmendinger plans on working closely with his new teammate to bring home the best possible results in 2024.

AJ Allmendinger looks forward to working with Josh Williams

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Earlier this season, rumors flew across the pond that AJ Allmendinger would be replaced by Ty Dillon in the Cup Series. With Carson Hocevar replacing Dillon in Spire Motorsports, the fifth seat change in recent times for Ty Dillon could indeed come at the hands of Kaulig Racing. But Allmendinger’s focus lies on team building for next year’s Xfinity challenge.

After winning the regular season Xfinity Series championship in 2021 and 2022, the no. 16 driver is an established veteran. But even the best can learn from new talent. Sharing his excitement about working with Josh Williams for the 2024 season, Allmendinger shared, “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.”

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With a complete makeover of their driver lineups in the Cup Series and the Xfinity Series for 2024, the NC outfit is keen on correcting this year’s miserable trajectory to better place themselves as a formidable force next year. But will the gamble pay off for AJ Allmendinger? Or is Kaulig Racing beyond saving?