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Kaulig Racing and Daniel Hemric could part ways following the 2024 season. With a revamped roster, Kaulig could be looking for a fresh face or a veteran to complement A.J. Allmendinger. There are a host of options for Kaulig if the team moves on from Hemric. Here are just a few of them.
Kaulig has the chance to continue something they have done this season. With Allmendinger returning to the No. 16 next season, the No. 31 could take the role of Kaulig’s “all-star car.”
The idea is that Kaulig fills the chartered entries schedule with as many young talent, salty veterans, and sponsored drivers as possible. While this move has gained Kaulig a decent amount of success in the past, the 2024 entry has not fared well.
Of the team’s four drivers of the No. 16 in 2024, the car scored one top-five and three top-tens. In those 28 races, the drivers include:
If Kaulig were to do this, it could be monumental for the team’s developmental drivers, Christian Eckes and Daniel Dye. However, would more consistency be better for the No. 31 in the long run?
Chandler Smith’s 2025 plans are still unknown, but a return to Kaulig may be on the table.
While there is no official word on the matter, Smith’s return would be shocking to many. Chandler seemingly took one year away from Toyota to race for Kaulig in the Xfinity Series and part-time in the Cup Series.
While Smith had a decent year, winning one race, he returned to TRD following 2023. The move back to TRD looked to be a solid move, as in the No. 81 for Joe Gibbs Racing, Smith looks like a championship contender.
With TRD’s lineup set for 2025, Smith’s future is unclear. He seems ready for the next step, and with part-time sponsor QuickTie, Smith and Kaulig might be a good match.
The major question of Smith and Kaulig’s relationship remains. Bad blood could keep him out.
Zane Smith is an interesting yet unexpected member of the 2025 free agent class.
After standout years at the Front Row Motorsports Truck Series team, Smith moved to Trackhouse Racing and Spire Motorsports in the Cup Series for 2024. This season, Smith started poorly but has improved recently.
Unfortunately, this upswing was not enough for Trackhouse to keep him on for the future, so they ended their long-term contract. However, given Smith’s promising talent, Chevrolet may want to hold onto Him.
If Kaulig were to have an interest in Smith, a major detraction could be sponsorship. Furthermore, there is still a rumor that Smith and FRM are due for a 2025 reunion.
Kaulig Racing and Richard Childress Racing have a close relationship. Kaulig uses ECR engines, and the team’s shop is on the RCR campus.
RCR currently has one developmental driver that looks almost overdue for a Cup Series ride. Austin Hill is a nine-time Xfinity Series winner for Childress, coming off a great 2023 campaign and a multi-win 2024.
While Hill has had the occasional entry for RCR and Beard Motorsports in the Cup Series, RCR doesn’t have a full-time ride for Hill. With a slight statistical decline in Xfinity this Season, it may be in RCR’s best interest to let him go to associate team Kaulig Racing.
Longtime sponsor Bennett Transportation would be major for Kaulig, and it would at least keep Hill close in the near future. However, a major detraction is Hill’s long-term deal to stay at RCR, but a ride at Kaulig might be Hill’s next step.
All these names aside, everything points to Ty Dillon taking over the No. 31 in 2025.
Not only did Jordan Bianchi of the Athletic report this, but Dillon’s current team, Rackley WAR in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, may have a new driver in Dawson Sutton for 2025.
Dillon is the youngest of Richard Childress’ grandsons. This connection has allowed Dillon to compete in the Cup Series with associate teams for most of his career.
In his six full-time seasons, Dillon has only two top-fives and seven top-tens. Nevertheless, it looks like Dillon may be the most logical option for the ride.
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