USA Today via Reuters
Concord, North Carolina, USA; NASCAR Xfinity Series driver AJ Allmendinger (16) leads Noah Gragson (9) and Daniel Hemric (8) during the Drive for the Cure 250 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Concord, North Carolina, USA; NASCAR Xfinity Series driver AJ Allmendinger (16) leads Noah Gragson (9) and Daniel Hemric (8) during the Drive for the Cure 250 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
In 2022, the NASCAR Cup Series will welcome the Kaulig Racing team on a full-time basis. Justin Haley will have a full-time seat in the #16 car, while AJ Allmendinger will share his car with another driver, who is yet to be confirmed. Recently, Kaulig Racing president Chris Rice spoke about their 2022 plans and how Allmendinger’s win affects everything.
He said, “That’s been our plan all along. We pick the races that we thought we could contend in. AJ Allmendinger driving on the road courses and Kaz Grala driving on the speedways. And it has, we ran well in all the races. The plan is working and you just got to execute it right.
“That’s what everybody talks about each and everyday, how can you execute today?”
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According to Rice, everybody at Kaulig Racing believes in this philosophy. Without a doubt, they were understandably thrilled when Allmendinger stormed to Victory Lane. Naturally, this will be a big boost to the organization ahead of its full-time stint in 2022.
What are the future plans of Kaulig Racing?
Rice insisted that their current plan appears to be the best route to take at the moment. In other words, they do not wish to change the status quo and that is the key to their success.
via Getty
SONOMA, CA – JUNE 27: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #47 Kingsford Charcoal Chevrolet, poses in front of the Coors Light Pole Award board after qualifying for pole position for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Rainier Ehrhardt/NASCAR via Getty Images)
The outfit seems to be prepared to for what’s coming, as both Allmendinger and Grala have registered Top 10 finishes.
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Allmendinger finished 7th in his first Cup Series race of the year and followed it up with 5th place. Finally, he topped off that achievement with his first win in 2021 and his second career win.
Meanwhile, Grala has a highest placed finish of 6th place which came at Talladega.His only other race start came at the season-opening Daytona 500, where he finished in 28th place.
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Admittedly, nobody knows whether Allmendinger or Grala will race again this year. However, the former will be back, along with whoever he shares his car with, and Justin Haley.
READ MORE: Kaulig Racing Finds a Ray of Hope in AJ Allmendinger After His Indianapolis Win
