Kaulig Racing is undertaking a major overhaul. Even though they aren’t a tier-one organization in Chevrolet’s eyes, the team is leaving no stone unturned to remain competitive in the Cup and Xfinity Series. Wholesale changes both on and off the track could drastically change their fortunes for 2025, depending on how well their new signings blend into the existing team structure. With new drivers, crew chief, and technical director, are things finally looking up for Matt Kaulig’s team?

Given NASCAR’s cutthroat competition, poaching talent from other teams is quite a common affair. That’s exactly what Kaulig Racing is doing ahead of the 2025 season, recruiting some of the most promising professionals from other teams to improve their performances in the long run.

Matt Kaulig’s team makes wholesale changes

Kaulig Racing’s ambition is undeniable. The team is looking to improve drastically, and changes are being made within the organization to match their goals for 2025. Mike Cook, former lead engineer at Stewart-Haas Racing will be joining as technical director while former Richard Childress Racing engineer Andrew Dickeson has been named crew chief for Austin Dillon’s No. 10 team. Having made a name for himself in the Australian V8 Supercars Super2 Series, Dickenson will be guiding the 34-year-old former Truck Series driver at NASCAR’s highest level next year.

Acknowledging that the changes were due, NASCAR YouTuber Eric Estepp said, “I do think Kaulig Racing needed a soft rebuild and that’s what they’re doing. They’ve got two new Cup series drivers next year. Daniel Hemrich is out moving on to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in trucks they brought Ty Dillon in. He’s got that RCR connection. Okay, they moved Allmendinger back up to Cup full-time where he belongs. That’s good. New crew chiefs for both. All right, hopefully, that lights a spark. They bring in Cook from Stuart-Haas Racing, could be a good pickup.”

Austin Dillon isn’t the only Kaulig Racing driver with a new crew chief next year. AJ Allmendinger, who is making a jump to the Cup Series will have race engineer Trent Owens guiding him from atop the pit box in 2025. The duo have worked together in the past during their JTG Daugherty Racing days, and expectations will be high from the No. 16 Chevy team. The veteran driver made it to Championship 4 in the Xfinity Series but struggled at Phoenix Raceway, finishing lower than the other three title-contenders at the ‘The Jewel of the Desert’.

Kaulig Racing’s signings are quite a statement of intent about their goals. The team is aspiring to become a force to be reckoned with in NASCAR, and appointments such as Andrew Dickeson and Mike Cook are a step in the right direction. The team recently brought in Ty Norris from Trackhouse Racing as well, who joined as Chief Business Officer to help Kaulig’s Cup Series program in the future. Given the changes being made, will they do better than finishing 28th and 30th at NASCAR’s highest level in 2025? Time will tell.

Mike Cook is optimistic about Kaulig Racing’s future

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Kaulig Racing has its eyes on the prize. After making plenty of changes in the organization’s structure, the team will hope that making smart recruitment decisions will translate into better results on track. A fresh approach ahead of 2025 is exactly what the team needed for a boost in performance, and that’s exactly what it has done, with the shop being restored as well. The upcoming Cup Series campaign will be the racing team’s fourth year at NASCAR’s highest level, and expectations will be at an all-time high from fans.

Sharing his excitement after joining Matt Kaulig’s team, new technical director Mike Cook said, “After a decade of learning and honing my craft, I am really excited to contribute to the continuing growth of Kaulig Racing. Nothing in racing happens overnight, but I know I have the tools and the support I need to bring immediate impact.” Mike Cook was part of the SHR team that recorded the fastest ever pit-stop in NASCAR history at 8.45 seconds! They accomplished this feat with the #14 of Chase Briscoe at Kansas in 2023. His wealth of experience as a lead engineer will certainly be a boost for Kaulig Racing’s chances.

Cook added, “Andrew has the demeanor and stability that I think will give Ty the best opportunity he has ever had at the Cup level. AJ and Trent are just in sync and have a great working relationship. Both drivers are hungry and dedicated, so I know that team is going to be strong and impress some people in 2025.” Trent Owens has more than 20 years of experience, accumulating a win in each of NASCAR’s top series, one Cup Series win, five Xfinity Series wins, and one Truck Series win.

Cook isn’t the only one who is feeling positive about Kaulig Racing’s chances in 2025. The team’s president Chris Rice also echoed the sentiment, saying, “I think this is the most impressive competition leadership group we have ever had.” The racing team is taking the initiative to improve its performance by making big moves during the off-season, which is a promising sight for any fan. While success is never guaranteed and is rarely immediate, it seems like a step in the right direction in their pursuit to compete against NASCAR’s heavyweights consistently for the championship trophy.