Kaulig Racing is leaving no stone unturned ahead of the 2025 Cup Series season. While many teams are spending time in the garage, ensuring that their cars are in perfect condition, Matt Kaulig’s side is resorting to unconventional methods to remain competitive. The team’s president, Chris Rice, is focusing on the health of his crew chiefs, having learned the benefits of being fit firsthand following his incredible transformation.

The stakes are high at Kaulig Racing ahead of its fourth season at the highest level. The team has expanded its Cup Series operations to two full-time drivers for 2025 as they look to challenge for playoff spots this time around.

Chris Rice sets goals to prioritize health

Chris Rice knows what it takes to win. The Kaulig Racing team president grew up at racetracks, as his dad Allan and his uncle started a race team, which is where he learned the ropes. Despite starting from the bottom as a gasman, his keen eye for detail and relentless work ethic eventually paid off, earning him a place in Matt Kaulig’s team in 2016 as a General Manager. Known for his ‘whatever it takes’ attitude, Rice is taking lessons he has learned in his journey and implementing it in the NASCAR team, hoping that hard work during the off-season will translate to on-track results in the months ahead.

The Kaulig Racing president uploaded a video on X, showing the three Xfinity Series crew chiefs on treadmills. In the video clip, Chris Rice said, “It ain’t about how fast you can make the car run, it’s about the mental stability. The three Xfinity Series crew chiefs this year are going to try to do a mile-a-day at the racetrack. We start right now. Yep, you guys already know I worked out early this morning back up here with them. Kaulig Racing, that’s what we do. We worry about you. We want to make you smile. These boys are smiling, Alex already done.”

Chris Rice has undergone quite a transformation in his personal life. He had recently uploaded old and new pictures of himself on his social media account, showcasing his weight loss journey which were accompanied by words of motivation to fans. He wrote, “I don’t have many words other than…… Hard work pays off!! Take care of yourself, please!!!!! Smile it’s good for you!!” It seems like he wants others to follow in his footsteps as well, as Daniel Dye, Christian Eckes, and Josh Williams’ crew chiefs were featured on the treadmill in the video.

In a demanding sport such as NASCAR, where the finest of margins can make all the difference, being in optimal condition can be a significant advantage. While Chris Rice’s methods may seem unorthodox to some, adopting a healthy lifestyle is always a good decision, especially for crew chiefs who are responsible for devising race strategy. Physical health directly impacts mental well-being, which is an important factor in how effectively a job is done while being atop the pit box.

What can be expected from Kaulig Racing in 2025?

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Kaulig Racing will be approaching the 2025 Cup Series season with a clean slate. The 2024 campaign featured Daniel Hemric in a full-time role, who failed to secure a single top-five finish despite competing in 36 races while driving the No. 31 Chevy. This time around, Matt Kaulig’s team will feature A. J. Allmendinger, who will return to NASCAR’s premier series in the No. 16 while Ty Dillon will feature in the No. 10 Chevy after jumping from the Truck Series.

Allmendinger certainly has the experience, having spent nine full seasons in the Cup Series. The 43-year-old made it to Championship 4 in the Xfinity Series last year, securing a victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the playoffs. However, the move to NASCAR’s highest level is a big one, and Allmendinger has struggled to compete against the sport’s best in the past with just 3 wins in 446 appearances. Given his age, it’s now or never for the veteran, who will hope his No. 16 Chevy has the speed to make up for his lackluster form on oval and short tracks.

As for Ty Dillon, the 32-year-old will be making a resurgent comeback in the Cup Series for the first time since 2023. With 245 appearances, the North Carolina native is no rookie, and competed for Kaulig Racing in a part-time capacity last year, securing two to-20 finishes at Texas Motor Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The former Rackley W.A.R. driver can take solace in the fact that he doesn’t have many early retirements, which will provide some much-needed stability to Matt Kaulig’s team. While competing for a playoff spot might be too ambitious in 2025, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that both drivers manage to finish inside the top 25 in the driver standings this season.