In-Depth Details on A.J. Allmendinger’s Contract Revealed

What’s Happening?

Kaulig Racing CEO Chris Rice recently shared the fine details of veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver A.J. Allmendinger’s long-term contract with the team during an appearance on the Door, Bumper, Clear Podcast.

NASCAR Silly Season is in full swing, with teams and drivers announcing new plans for the 2027 season.

Throughout the process, one name that has circled in and out of discussions is A.J. Allmendinger, who is in his third full-time, and second consecutive, season in Kaulig Racing’s No. 16.

After leaving full-time action at the conclusion of 2018, Allmendinger had a revival with Kaulig in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at age 38 in 2019.

Throughout his time with the team, the former Champ Car standout has seen the team transition from Xfinity Series dominator to a Cup Series race-winning team, and is now watching the team transition again, with a new relationship with Stellantis brands Ram and Dodge.

Still, fans have wondered just how long the now 44-year-old driver can keep going, given the ever-changing scene at the team.

Time and time again, Kaulig Racing CEO Chris Rice has played down these rumors, calling Allmendinger a “Kaulig Lifer” during an interview with the media at San Diego, and going on to add that the three-time Cup Series winner is with the team for as long as he wants to.

Rice also said that there is a contract, but that was signed as a way of going through the motions and making it official.

Despite these claims, fans are still prying for more and more info on Allmendinger’s long-term status with the team, and during a recent appearance on the Door, Bumper, Clear Podcast, Rice finally delivered the details.

How Long is Allmendinger’s Current Contract?

On DBC, Rice revealed that Allmendinger is signed with the team through 2029, which eliminates any rumors that Allmendinger could be out of the car by the end of this year.

Furthermore, it also confirms that he will very likely be with the team when Dodge finally returns to the NASCAR Cup Series either in 2027 or 2028.

However, Rice did add that Dodge has not committed to the Cup Series for 2027 despite lingering rumors that they could be ready by February.

But the most interesting note from Rice’s explanation backs up the claims that Allmendinger is at Kaulig for as long as he wants, as he remarked that Allmendinger has an option in his contract that could take him through the 2032 season.

“AJ’s contract is through ’29 with the option through ’32, where the caveat is he gets to decide when he’s done full-time racing.” — Chris Rice

From the sound of it, Rice is implying that this could be a driver option, which means that at the end of his current deal (2029), Allmendinger, rather than Kaulig, chooses whether or not to extend that contract to 2032 or to look for a new deal as a free agent, something that he would be unlikely to do.

Still, Rice added that even after Allmendinger is done with his full-time driving career, and presumably returns to part-time racing, he will stay a member of the Kaulig Family, specifically in a mentorship role for the team’s younger drivers.

“He’s still going to drive after he’s done, he’s still going to be part of us,” Rice said. “He’s still going to be a mentor. . . we need A.J. to be able to have somebody to conversate with, the Mini Tyrells, the Butterbean Queens, the people like that we’re going to have run through our race team and A.J. will always be part of Kaulig Racing, and, man, he’s the one made us.”

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