NASCAR
AJ Allmendinger Returns to Xfinity Series in Kaulig Racing No. 16
LEXINGTON, N.C. – Kaulig Racing has announced the cornerstone of their 2024 Xfinity Series lineup. Team veteran AJ Allmendinger will race on Saturdays once again for the Chevrolet team in the No. 16 Camaro.
Since joining Kaulig Racing in 2019, Allmendinger won back-to-back Xfinity Series Regular Season Championships, 15 races and 10 poles. Allmendinger spent 2023 racing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series with Kaulig. AJ also ran five Xfinity races this past season on a part-time schedule, winning two of them (COTA and Nashville). He also recorded four top fives, five top-10s and three poles.
2021 and 2022 both saw AJ take the No. 16 to victory lane five times. Allmendinger returns to the Xfinity lineup, teamed up with Kaulig newcomer Josh Williams.
“We feel AJ [Allmendinger] returning full time to our Xfinity Series program gives us the best chance to continue growing our organization as a whole,” team president, Chris Rice said. “He’s passionate, he’s aggressive and he pushes us to keep getting better. We’re excited to see what we can accomplish in the 2024 season on both the Xfinity and Cup side.”
“My plans for 2024 have always been whatever Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice think is best for the team,” said Allmendinger. “We’ve got work to do on both our Xfinity and Cup side as we continue to grow. But I think we are putting ourselves in the best position to keep improving. With Josh Williams coming on board, it’ll be fun to learn each other’s driving styles and work together as teammates on Saturdays. I’m excited to be a part everything we’re working on at Kaulig Racing and see what we can get done next season.”
Allmendinger has been perhaps the most influential single person in transforming Kaulig Racing to a winning organization. AJ earned this team’s first Cup Series win at Indianapolis in 2021. He also won their second Cup race at the Charlotte Roval in October. AJ’s first foray back into full-time Cup competition this past year saw him end up 21st in the championship.
“To Kaulig Racing, AJ is much more than the trophies he’s won or the banners he’s hung in our shop,” said team owner, Matt Kaulig. “AJ has always embraced what we are trying to do as an organization. His contribution to the culture at Kaulig Racing is what truly makes him forever a part of our family.”
Kaulig Racing says that Allmendinger will also make select Cup Series starts in 2024. His schedule for Sundays and his sponsors will both be announced at a later date. Allmendinger will surely be a championship-level threat once again in the Xfinity Series. Depending on his Cup schedule, he may challenge for a few more Sunday wins too.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Kaulig Racing
