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Kaulig Racing’s 2024 has not gone as many hoped it would. The team, however, looks like it may have an entirely new lineup for 2025. But do these major changes mean better things for the future of Matt Kaulig’s team?
The 2023 season ended with Kaulig Racing facing major changes to its Cup Series lineup.
These moves were not a team decision but the result of driver choices. A.J. Allmendinger announced his return to the Xfinity Series after having the team’s best Cup Series season to date. Another significant loss the team faced was the departure of longtime driver Justin Haley.
In return, Kaulig brought on Xfinity Series veteran Daniel Hemric to take over for Haley in the No. 31. Rather than filling the No. 16 with a full-time driver, Kaulig opted for a rotation of Cup Series winners and young talent.
Neither car has matched past performances so far in 2024. The No. 31 with Hemric currently sits 31st in Cup Series standings, with just four top-tens to the team’s name. Meanwhile, the No. 16 has not seen a consistent driver nor finished all season long.
However, Kaulig has already done some spring cleaning with its driver lineup for 2025. Some moves are confirmed, while others are still rumors. Either way, Kaulig is facing major changes next season to try to get out of the slump.
Entering 2024, Kaulig’s developmental ranks in the NASCAR Xfinity Series hosted a rather interesting group.
This group first saw a major shakeup for 2025 when A.J. Allmendinger announced his return to the Cup Series. A.J., now 42 years old, is the team’s winningest driver in the Cup Series and will play a major role in Kaulig’s 2025 by supplying the No. 16 Cup Series team with consistency.
Rather than immediately replacing A.J., Kaulig opted to add the part-time driver of the No. 10, Daniel Dye, to its Xfinity Series program full-time in 2025. Dye is currently 7th in Truck Series standings, having improved substantially on his series debut last season.
Dye’s No. 10 team will more than likely be a renumbered version of Shane Van Gisbergen’s No. 97. As for the still driverless No. 16 Xfinity Series entry, Kaulig had big plans.
In what is one of the team’s most important signings in its short history, Kaulig Racing signed NASCAR Truck Series points leader Christian Eckes to drive the No. 16 in 2025. Eckes has turned a major corner in his career as of late, winning three races in the Truck Series this year and posting 16 top-tens in 17 races.
Furthermore, rumors are circulating that not only will Ty Dillon return to the Cup Series in 2025, but the team may have brought on some major off-track support for 2025. Tuesday afternoon, Jordan Bianchi of the Athletic reported that Trackhouse Racing President Ty Norris is leaving the team and perhaps headed to Kaulig Racing for 2025.
For now, Kaulig has an almost entirely new look for 2025. But, what do all these moves mean for the team’s long-term future?
Fans have generally responded positively to these moves. However, Ty Dillon’s rumored return to the team’s highest level has been heavily criticized.
Dillon, the grandson of Richard Childress, has, despite a rather lackluster career, managed to find Cup Series rides due to his name. The addition of Allmendinger, while less criticized, gives the team an average age of 37 and three combined career wins, all of which are Allmendinger’s.
However, there is optimism with Kaulig’s Xfinity Series team. Both Dye and Eckes bring necessary young talent, something the team has not had in some time. In Eckes’s case, he is a young driver with legitimate championship talent.
While the team seems to be relying on older drivers at the top level, it has essentially laid the groundwork for its future. If the team does bring on Ty Norris, his addition to the front office, seemingly alongside President Chris Rice, brings necessary off-track support to the team.
Changing a team this much is risky. However, if it all works out for Kaulig, it would be well worth it. For the first time in several years, it looks like Kaulig may be focused on the big picture, rather than short term wins.
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