What’s Happening?

Kaulig Racing finished its silly season this past weekend by adding its second Cup Series driver for the 2025 season. Ty Dillon will race the team’s second Chartered car, renumbered as the No. 10, in the 2025 Cup Series season. However, what role does the veteran journeyman play in Kaulig’s long-term future?

• Ty Dillon is a NASCAR Cup Series veteran, having raced in 245 races since 2014. The grandson of RCR founder Richard Childress, Dillon has bounced around multiple teams since Germain Racing closed following the 2020 season.
• Kaulig Racing is in a slump this season. The team’s full-time Cup and Xfinity Series entries have struggled since Daytona. In turn, the team overhauled its entire roster prior to the 2025 season, including the addition of veteran and prospect drivers.
• Fans and insiders praised Kaulig’s developmental signings, as they allow the team to grow into the future. In turn, the signing of the struggling Ty Dillon was met with memes and backlash, leading many to wonder what Kauligs’ plan is with Dillon.

Ty Dillon’s NASCAR Career

To be blunt, Ty Dillon is an odd choice for Kaulig Racing to bring on full-time in 2025.

Since his NASCAR National Series debut in the Truck Series in 2011, Dillon has won four races, three in Trucks and one in Xfinity. However, from 2017 to 2020, Dillon was consistent with Germain Racing.

However, Germain closed following the 2020 season, with Kaulig’s Cup Series program, ironically, rising from its ashes. Since Germain’s closure, the youngest Dillon brother floated from team to team:

• 2021 – Gaunt Brothers Racing, four starts, 11 races with multiple Xfinity Series teams, one Truck Series start
• 2022 – Full-time with Petty-GMS Racing No. 42
• 2023 – Full-time with Spire Motorsports No. 77
• 2024 – Full-time with Truck Series team Rackley W.A.R., part-time Cup Series starts with Kaulig Racing

Throughout that time, Dillon had one Cup Series top-ten and decent Xfinity Series runs. Thanks to his family ties, Dillon continued to get races into 2024 with Rackley W.A.R.’s Truck Series entry. That was until the team released him last week after 18 races and two top-tens.

However, this move seemed to be the plan, with Dawson Sutton moving into the ride while Dillon prepared to race full-time for Kaulig in 2025. But why does Kaulig want a driver who has struggled like Ty Dillon has?

Kaulig Doubles Down

When rumors started to surface that Dillon would shift from part-time to full-time at Kaulig next season, it seemed shocking. However, earlier this season, this move wouldn’t have surprised anybody.

Early this season, Kaulig Racing looked like yet another team that had fallen from high hopes. The team had a struggling Cup and Xfinity Series lineup. Furthermore, the Cup Series team had one part-time car, the No. 16, which had a rotating door of drivers, including Dillon, and seemingly no shot at consistency.

There was even a rumor early on that Kaulig might sell their charters at year’s end. However, rather than giving up, Kaulig went all in, signing Daniel Dye and top Chevrolet prospect Christian Eckes to long-term deals in the Xfinity Series.

On the Cup Series side, Kaulig announced they were bringing A.J. Allmendinger, the team’s winningest driver, back to NASCAR’s top level in 2025. Not only did they fix their lineup, but Kaulig hired front office legend, and lifelong “team builder” Ty Norris.

All these moves are an investment in Kaulig’s future, but how does a driver like Ty Dillon fit into that future?

It Makes Sense, for Now

What Ty Dillon brings to the table are three very clear benefits that, in the long term, outweigh his past performances.

Dillon will likely hold a seat for Kaulig until one of their young drivers is ready to go Cup racing. While he may not win any races, Ty often brings the car home in one piece, which is something some smaller teams appreciate.

Furthermore, Dillon has backing and funding, of course through sponsors but significantly through one specific outlet. RCR and Kaulig already have an associated relationship. However, with his signing, RCR and Kaulig will expand this relationship.

Kaulig is growing, and if they can get more support from RCR, signing Dillon is a fair trade to do so. As team president Chris Rice said in the team’s press release:

“He has been consistent each time he gets in the car and has really helped our program grow this season. We think he will be instrumental in continuing our Cup program in alliance with Richard Childress Racing.” — Chris Rice, President, Kaulig Racing

So, Kaulig’s long-term plan looks clear right now. Bring Dillon on, let your young drivers develop, replace Dillon, and win races. Whether this plan will work out is a question of the future.

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