Shane Van Gisbergen Paired With Veteran Crew Chief as Kaulig Racing Refreshes Xfinity Roster

Kaulig Racing means some serious business in 2024. The Matt Kaulig-owned team has been ambitious in approaching the upcoming season and has built an incredible Xfinity Series roster. An alliance with Trackhouse Racing sees the team secure 3-time Supercars winner Shane van Gisbergen’s services, who will race in the #97 Chevrolet Camaro. While SVG is on the Kaulig roster to enable a transition to Cup Series racing next season, his new team wants to make the most of his presence.

Earlier today, Kaulig Racing announced the crew chiefs who will lead their three teams from the garage. It is the former No. 16 crew chief for Chandler Smith who will take charge of SVG’s #97 team, while Alex Yontz and AJ Allmendinger will unite again after 2019’s Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course event. Kaulig Racing has also brought in Josh Williams from DGM Racing, and he will be under the supervision of crew chief Kevin Walter for the No. 11 team.

Kaulig Racing announces a major addition to Shane van Gisbergen’s #97 team

Last week, Trackhouse and Kaulig Racing announced their partnership. As a result, Trackhouse’s intentions to help Shane van Gisbergen’s transition to the Cup Series received a boost. The teams revealed that Gisbergen will drive full-time in the Xfinity Series and seven select Cup races in 2024. While SVG has much experience as a race car driver, he has been paired with an Xfinity Series specialist in Bruce Schlicker.

Shlicker has been a mainstay in the Kaulig Racing Xfinity Series program. The crew chief has been the voice on the team radio for Ross Chastain, Jeb Burton, AJ Allmendinger, and Chandler Smith in the last four NASCAR seasons. One of the highlights of Bruce Schlicker’s career was his performance with Allmendinger in 2022, when the team won five races and finished in fifth place in the final championship standings. Shane van Gisbergen will now have the chance to experience Schlicker’s expert advice on the track.

NASCAR veteran AJ Allmendinger has also received a boost after a reunion with his former crew chief, Alex Yontz. The pair have worked together as recently as this year in a Kaulig All-Star Car. The duo raced in five outings, among which they won at COTA and the Nashville Superspeedway. Yontz also specializes in Xfinity racing and has eight wins in 154 races. Two of these eight wins can be attributed to the presence of Allmendinger in the driver’s seat.

Yontz and AJ have also teamed up in the past. The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course was an occasion for Yontz to provide services to the veteran. Allmendinger had a notable third-place finish at the event. Since then, the only way for the duo has been ahead.

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While the more experienced drivers have been aligned with veteran crew chiefs with loads of experience, Josh Williams’ No. 11 teams will be guided by former JR Motorsports lead engineer Kevin Walter. Josh Williams has also made a consistent appearance in Xfinity races, making 186 starts in the second-tier competition.

A debut as crew chief awaits Kevin Walter in 2024

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Kevin Walter has the chance to realize his dream of being a crew chief in NASCAR. Walter is a familiar name on the NASCAR circuit, however. He has amassed Cup Series experience with Front Row Motorsports’ Michael McDowell. Before that, he was part of Leavine Family Racing in 2015. Among his stints as a lead engineer, his time with Josh Berry is the most notable.

Last season, Josh Berry racked up three stage wins, 11 top-5s, 18 top-10s, and a seventh-place finish in the championship standings. While he could have displayed better results, it was enough for Stewart-Haas Racing to sign him for the upcoming season. With his departure, Kevin Walter also left the team to unite with Josh Williams of the iconic ‘car parking’ fame in Atlanta.

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Williams and Walter have never been a part of a Kaulig Racing setup, and 2024 will be a new experience for them. However, with an increase in stature, the responsibilities have also increased. Josh has spent seven seasons in Xfinity and finished 21st in last season’s driver standings.

Improving his output will be a challenge for the #11 team. While Kaulig Racing promises better equipment and facilities, overcoming the blues will be important for the driver and crew chief. With an average finish of 22.7 in his Xfinity career, Williams will hope to improve his results with a new team.