What’s Happening?

On Friday, Kaulig Racing announced that Daniel Dye will drive full-time for their Xfinity program in 2025. However, the team clarified that this was in the No. 10 rather than the recently vacated No. 16, so is a ride still open at Kaulig?

• Kaulig Racing currently fields three full-time entries in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The No. 11 driven by Josh Williams, the No. 16 driven by A.J. Allmendinger, and the No. 97 driven by Shane Van Gisbergen. The team also fields the part-time No. 10 with Dye as the driver.
• On Aug. 15, Kaulig announced that A.J. Allmendinger will return to the Cup Series in 2025. Following this, Kaulig announced Friday that Dye will join the team in 2025, driving the No. 10. The following day, Trackhouse Racing announced that Shane Van Gisbergen would race in the Cup Series full-time in 2025.
• The No. 16 is Kaulig’s flagship ride, the winningest car in team history. So, if it were open next year, who would be the driver? Dye was just one of a few options from the Chevrolet camp, with the remaining developmental drivers performing well.

Tyler Ankrum

Often forgotten in Silly Season conversations, Tyler Ankrum is having a sneaky good 2024.

Currently sixth in the Truck Series standings, Ankrum has five top-fives and nine top-tens. While not as good as others on this list, Ankrum has improved on his average finish from last season.

With Ankrum, there is the added benefit of longtime sponsor LiUNA!, a benefit Kaulig also gained from the addition of Daniel Dye and his longtime sponsor Champion Container.

Ankrum has had a bumpy road in five full-time Truck Series seasons, having bounced between teams and manufacturers almost year to year. With only one win and none since going full-time in 2020, many have overlooked Ankrum.

However, Dye has also struggled to win a race, and his Truck Series teammate, Ankrum, has also run consistently all season long. For Kaulig, it will be a risk but perhaps a worthwhile one.

Nick Sanchez

A driver who appears to be the third prong in the Truck Series Championship trident. Nick Sanchez has repeatedly shown that he is the real deal.

Sanchez has not had it easy competing with Corey Heim and Christian Eckes all season. However, he has persevered, with two wins and eight top-fives, which easily secured him a top spot in the playoffs.

The 23-year-old approached the Truck Series slowly last year, learning and developing, but has been masterful this season. So what more is there for Kaulig to like about the young and adaptable driver?

Sanchez has support from Gainbridge, a necessity for any young driver in the modern sport. He also has experience in the Xfinity Series, albeit in cars that are not up to the same speed as Kaulig’s fleet.

While not the best statistical option among the young Chevrolet drivers, Sanchez may have the best statistics, turnaround time, and age combination.

However, one driver may be too good not to be in the Xfinity Series next season.

Christian Eckes

Christian Eckes is the hottest Chevrolet developmental driver. With three wins and 16 top-tens in the seasons’ 17 races, Eckes is now the talent he was promised to be.

Fans have wondered why Eckes has yet to find an Xfinity Series ride for 2025. Kaulig, having signed Dye, could be a great choice for Eckes. However, the team may need the driver more than the driver needs the team.

Other options exist for Eckes. JR Motorsports potentially has an opening after Sam Mayer departed for the Haas Factory Team. However, Eckes’s past could also come into play.

At a time, Eckes was a highly touted prospect for Toyota Racing Development. Not only did Mayer go to Haas Factory, but the driver of Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 18, Sheldon Creed, did as well. Could a reunion be in the store?

If Eckes moves up, there could be a bidding war for his services. However, being in the Chevrolet camp, Kaulig could have the advantage.

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