Kaulig Racing Play the Ross Chastain Card After Denny Hamlin’s Dropping the Ball in Cup Series Accusations

The regular 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship is coming to a close in 4 race times. It’s crunch time for the driver below the cutoff line to give it their all for a spot in the playoffs berth. However, Kaulig Racing‘s decision to switch AJ Allmendinger to run the Xfinity Series race at Road America raised a few eyebrows. Especially considering his position in the playoff standings. Denny Hamlin, the #11 team driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, openly criticized the move by Kaulig Racing, expressing his disbelief in the team’s decision. What’s even more exciting is that Ross Chastain is set to drive the #10 Chevrolet for Kaulig racing in Michigan.

As an indirect response to Denny Hamlin’s accusation. Kaulig Racing took to Twitter and celebrated the returning Ross Chastain, a driver they achieved their first-ever NASCAR win with to run for them in the Xfinity race at Michigan.

Kaulig Racing celebrates the return of Ross Chastain in the #10 Chevy

The unexpected switch of AJ Allmendinger from the Cup Series to the Xfinity Series caused a stir among fans and fellow drivers alike. Denny Hamlin, known for his candid opinions, didn’t hold back in expressing his surprise during a podcast. He questioned the team’s rationale behind the decision. He spoke about the importance of securing a playoff berth in the prestigious Cup Series.

For Hamlin, the move seemed counterintuitive, especially given Allmendinger’s performance this season. His disapproval stemmed from the belief that practice and qualifying at Richmond Raceway would have been crucial for maximizing performance in the Cup Series race.

Kaulig Racing took to Twitter to celebrate Ross Chastain’s return to drive the @10 Chevrolet in the Cabo Wabo Tequila 250 Xfinity race at Michigan.

“1,001 days later, @RossChastain returns to the No. 10 Chevy to go #TrophyHunting with Kaulig Racing once again! 🏆 Catch the Melon Man wheeling the 10 car this weekend at @MISpeedway! #CaboWabo250 | #XfinitySeries.”

AJ Allmendinger, the driver at the center of the controversy, shared his perspective on the team’s decision to race in the Xfinity Series at Road America.

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AJ Allmendinger justifies the decision to miss practice and qualifying at Richmond

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Despite being close to the playoff cutoff in the Cup Series, Allmendinger affirmed that it was the team owners, Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice, who chose this direction. He expressed excitement about competing in the Xfinity race and looked forward to the challenge. Although the decision meant starting at the back in the Cup Series race at Richmond, Allmendinger believed that the track’s setup could still allow for progress during the race.

Bob Pockrass shared his conversation with Allmendinger ahead of the race at Richmond to discuss the bizarre decision. “Was there any thought of you being so close to the playoff cutoff to not have to start at the back? To scrap Road America and to not have to start at the back at Richmond?” asked Bob.

“Richmond is a place that, with this car, especially, we probably struggled at,” Allmendinger replied. “So in a way, whether we practice 20 minutes, at times, it doesn’t make a huge difference. Starting in the back is a challenge, but I think Richmond is the racetrack that if we have the setup right, you can still move forward.”

“So there was really talk about it, but we want to enjoy it and have fun while doing it. It is a part of it,” he continued. “I love Xfinity and road courses in general. However, the race is going to play out the same way. Whether we start up front, middle, or back of the pack.”

Do you think it was a good decision on Kaulig Racing’s part to have their driver start at the back at Richmond considering he is so close to being in the playoffs berth? Let us know in the comments.

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