What’s Happening?

Kauling Racing kept the Silly Season wheel turning with news that the longtime face of the team, A.J. Allmendinger, is returning to the Cup Series in 2025. In doing so, Allmendinger is leaving the team’s primary Xfinity Series car, the No. 16, open for 2025.

• Kauling Racing’s Xfinity team has been operational since 2016. Since their first win in 2019, the team has won 26 races; out of the 198 races since 2019, Kauling won 13%. That’s partly due to A.J. Allmendinger, who won 15 races for the team, currently in his third season in the No. 16, A.J. will return to the Cup Series after one season away, leaving the ride open.
• In the Xfinity Series, Kauling currently fields three full-time and one part-time entry. Alongside the No. 16, driven by Allmendinger, is the No. 11, driven by Josh Williams. Followed by the No. 97 fielded in collaboration with Trackhouse Racing, driven by Shane Van Gisbergen, and the part-time No. 10, this season exclusively driven by Chevrolet development driver Daniel Dye.

Corey LaJoie

LaJoie, now out of the Spire Motorsports No. 7, could be a veteran option for this team. LaJoie has not started an Xfinity Series race since 2017, but with the lack of seats in the Cups Series, it could be one of two options for the veteran. Sponsorship would play a factor, as Allmendinger’s longtime partner, Celsius, carried the bulk of sponsorship for the No. 16.

Nick Sanchez

Nick Sanchez is a proven driver in the NASCAR National Series. With four ARCA wins and two Craftsman Truck Series wins, the 23-year-old Chevrolet driver looks ready for the next level. Gainbridge, Sanchez’s longtime sponsor, could cover the team’s needs. Sanchez’s plan for 2025 is still unknown.

Sam Mayer

Sam Mayer, a longtime Chevy developmental driver, has been with JR Motorsports since 2022. However, the recent signing of Connor Zilisch has made speculation rampant about whether Mayer will be back for next season. Some rumors point to Mayer wanting a Cup ride; if he were to go with Kauling, he could get occasional starts as the part-time No. 13 entry for the team in the Cup Series. However, sponsorship and potential Cup Series talks are unknown.

Christian Eckes

Eckes has been on a tear this season for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing. With three wins and 15 top-tens in 16 races, Eckes has often traded the Truck Series points lead with Corey Heim this season. Eckes, now 23 years old, would need to move up sooner rather than later. His Truck Series entry has seen sponsorship benefits from longtime McAnally sponsor NAPA. If Kauling wanted a proven winner, Eckes fits the bill.

Daniel Dye

The driver of part-time No. 10, Daniel Dye, might be the best candidate for the car despite only winning one race in the top four divisions of stock car racing. Not only has the team worked with Dye, but racing for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing this season, Dye has shown strides of talent many hoped for him to be. Sponsor Champion Container has been of immense help to Dye in his career and could come along as a benefit to the team and driver.

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