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One of the most intriguing open Xfinity Series seats for 2024 is Kaulig Racing. We already know they will have Daniel Hemric driving the 31 car in the Cup Series with Chandler Smith in the 16 in Xfinity, but the rest of their seats are still open. Who will drive that second Kaulig car in the Xfinity Series for 2024?
A.J. Allmendinger has yet to officially announce his plans for 2024, and one of those options may be to step down to the Xfinity Series in 2024. Allmendinger has had a disappointing season in the Cup Series with Kaulig, and it may be worthwhile for him to jump back into Xfinity if he feels he can win races.
Then again, he could even be a candidate for the All-Star car at Kaulig in 2024 if he does not want to race full-time. He is getting up there in age, so, that may be an option for him. However, given Kaulig moving Hemric up to Cup in 2024, it’s easy to also see them ask Allmendinger to stick around for maybe another year or two in Cup.
This may be a surprise to some, but Jake Garcia could be looking for a new ride in 2024. Bill McAnally is signing Daniel Dye in 2024, and if Christian Eckes comes back, Garcia may be looking to move up. Garcia is only 18 years old, and he was not old enough to participate in the season-opening race for the Truck Series at Daytona.
He has been solid this season with eight top-10s and two top-5s as he sits in 14th in the standings. He may be a project, sure, but he also has potential. Add to that he also brings a solid amount of funding with him, and that makes him a candidate.
Derek Kraus has run six races this season for Kualig Racing recording three top-10 finishes. He also was tapped to practice and qualify their Cup Series car at Richmond while A.J. Allmendinger was running the Xfinity Series race at Road America. The question boils down to funding for Kraus.
He’s relied primarily on Kaulig’s sponsors during this season, and that could hold him back from an Xfinity Series ride with Kaulig. Then again, he has performed well in the car to this point, so he is at the very least a candidate.
Noah Gragson is always a name that pops up when you mention Kaulig Racing, whether it is Cup or Xfinity. On paper, it looks like Kaulig and Gragson could be a good match. You have two big personality owners in Chris Rice and Matt Kaulig alongside a big personality driver in Noah Gragson. We also know that Gragson has talent, and, particularly in the Xfinity Series, Kaulig has the equipment to show off Gragson’s talent.
However, will Gragson be able to attract the sponsors necessary for a full-time ride? If not, a part-time ride in maybe Kaulig’s All-Star car could be the right fit for Gragson. Gragon’s future is a mystery, but a lot could happen in 2024.
Nick Sanchez is in an interesting situation with his team Rev Racing. They are currently in a technical alliance with Kyle Busch Motorsports, but that team is being bought out by Spire in 2024. Sanchez’s sponsor, Gainbridge, is also now a sponsor for Spire.
It’s possible Sanchez could move upwards in 2024, and that is evidenced by his performance in the Truck Series this year. Sanchez has four poles, two top-5s, and 11 top-10s, and he is in Championship 4 position heading into the final cut-off race at Homestead-Miami in a couple of weeks. Could Kaulig take a chance on a prospect like Sanchez?
The 2024 plans for Kaulig Racing remain up in the air, and it will be interesting to see where they decide to go. What does Kaulig Racing have up their sleeve for their 2024 Xfinity Series ride?
