Kaulig Racing Team President Chris Rice joined Sirius XM NASCAR Radio on Thursday, and he addressed recent rumors of Kaulig Racing merging with another race team like Trackhouse. He flatly denied that he was merging with another race team like Trackhouse, but he also mentioned his team “Will always throw diversions so people talk about us.” He also teased that Kaulig has something interesting up its’ sleeve for 2025.
Chris Rice was asked directly about Kaulig’s outlook for 2024 and immediately went to the rumors. However, he also indicated that the team has something interesting up their sleeve.
The fans can’t see me right now because we’re on radio, but, you see our name that’s on [my shirt], and that’s what it’s going to be. We’re not merging, we’re not doing anything like that. We’re very close to Trackhouse, and we will be close to Trackhouse for a while, but, we’re also close to RCR if you want to look at it that way. We knew 2024 was going to be tough on us because it’s what we called a ‘Gap year’ for Kaulig Racing, and we have some exciting stuff that’s going on behind the scenes.
Chris Rice
That’s a pretty flat denial from Rice. It also lines up with what sources recently told us the rumor was about the SHR charters. Trackhouse would have a reason to purchase two of SHR’s four charters if a merger with Kaulig wasn’t in the cards.
However, it’s what he said afterward raised eyebrows. Kaulig is notoriously tight-lipped about its plans, and it likes to drum up as much interest as possible in whatever Kaulig Racing does, and Rice admitted to that tactic.
We’re very tight-lipped with what we do, but, we always throw diversions out there so people talk about us.
Chris Rice
There are multiple instances of Kaulig Racing potentially throwing out these “Diversions”. This past off-season, Rice denied rumors and speculation that the team was considering selling charters. Kaulig also used an arm photo to tease Daniel Hemric’s signing with the team for 2025, which sent the NASCAR world into a frenzy.
That said, Kaulig Racing likes to have fun teasing future plans. Could Rice be trying to throw a diversion out there by saying this to the media? It’s certainly possible, but we don’t see Kaulig, or any race team, for that matter, tell bald-faced lies in public interviews with the media. Rice, later in the interview, noted that he said this to a reporter who called him upset about the lack of information.
It’s no need for me to tell you a lie, so, I’m not going to tell you.
Chris Rice
With all that being said, Rice also teased some of what he expect from Kaulig Racing in 2025. It seems something is going on, but he hasn’t said exactly what yet.
We have a lot of cool things going on. I spent some time in Ohio this week, first part of the week, and I’m pretty excited about it. When it does, when we’re able to talk about it and able to share it, I think everybody else is going to be relieved. I think the worry is is Matt Kaulig going away, Matt Kaulig’s not going away. We don’t have a charter agreement done right now, so, let’s focus on that, and then we can focus on where Kaulig Racing’s going.
Chris Rice
What connection could Ohio have to Kaulig Racing? Team owner Matt Kaulig is originally from Columbus, Ohio.
It’s also interesting to note that Kroger is based in Ohio. According to Adam Stern, Tad Geshickter, a JTG-Daugherty co-owner with close ties to Kroger, could be leaving the team. However, Stern also reported that Joe Gibbs Racing is the most likely stop for Geshickter, so Geshickter and Kroger joining Kaulig is a stretch.
If we know anything about Kaulig Racing, expect the unexpected. Even then, Chris Rice did give a timeline for when Kaulig’s 2025 plans could be announced, but it depends on one thing.
I wish I could’ve told you yesterday, but, the next 30 days is a big, big time for us. I think in the next 30 days, everybody will have an idea what it looks like and what ’25 looks like for the Cup and Xfinity program…Matt Kaulig’s in it for the long haul with NASCAR, believes in the system. The charter agreement is going to be good once we get it done, so, once we can get all of that done I thing we can finalze what we’re working on.
Chris Rice
Well, the charter agreement might not be done for a while. However, we can guarantee that 2025 could be another year of big change for Kaulig Racing.
Lionel Racing finally confirmed the first wave of 2026 NASCAR Authentics 1:64 scale diecast for Monday morning, with the line of retail-exclusive diecast featuring a new look for the new year.
What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Chase Pistone, a former competitor on the short track racing circuit in addition to NASCAR’s National Series, has passed away. Pistone, now a successful Legends Car owner, was 42.
What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Three races in, the 2026 season is finally starting to show its hand. COTA shifted narratives, exposed weaknesses, and raised new questions about contenders, pretenders, and everything in between.
From substitute drivers being forced into action to points gaps growing faster than expected, COTA delivered more than just a road course chess match. There were momentum swings, reputation hits, and at least one young driver stacking up enemies before stacking up results.
Watch Also:
