Every NASCAR Cup Series Driver’s Current Contract Status in 2026
What’s Happening? NASCAR drivers, much like any athletes, have a period of free agency and multi-million dollar contracts. Based on information…
Following talks of his future at Kaulig Racing this past weekend, NASCAR fans are confused about just how long A.J. Allmendinger will be at Kaulig Racing.
What’s Happening? NASCAR drivers, much like any athletes, have a period of free agency and multi-million dollar contracts. Based on information…
With the flurry of silly season moves hitting the NASCAR Cup Series garage in recent weeks, driver contracts are all the talk amongst NASCAR fans.
Unlike most other major sports, NASCAR fans often do not know that a driver is set to become a free agent until the final year of their contract, as many teams do not share in-depth details, instead using phrases like “long-term” and “multi-year” to describe lengths.
This past weekend at San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado, fans locked their sights on A.J. Allmendinger, who professed that his contract at Kaulig Racing could go well into the 2030s.
Prior to this interview, most fans were under the impression that both Allmendinger and his Kaulig teammate Ty Dillon were on contract years.
For one, NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reported just as much just this past month, still, something that came as a surprise, as most expected that Allmendinger would never come close to leaving the team until his retirement.
Despite talks of free agency, Allmendinger told the media this past weekend that, according to Kaulig Racing CEO Chris Rice, he is under contract until 2032.
This news did come as a surprise to many, given Allmendinger’s age and the ever-changing state of Kaulig Racing and their relationship with Ram/Dodge, it seems unlikely that Allmendinger would race into his age-50 season.
But this may not be the case, as per Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, Rice claimed during the weekly “tweetup” at San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado, that A.J. is under contract with the team until 2029.
With so many accounts out there, some fans online are confused as to just how long A.J. might be at Kaulig. Nonetheless, the truth may not be as simple as Allmendinger signing a contract to come back.
The relationship between Kaulig and Allmendinger is deep, with the team reviving his career in the late 2010s, and A.J. scoring a majority of their 27 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins and both of their Cup Series wins.
This close relationship is why Rice told the media in San Diego that Allmendinger is a Kaulig “lifer.”
While fans would like to know Allmendinger’s status with the team, Rice explains that the California native, whom he claims first joined the team on handshake agreements, has a contract, but that it’s more of a formality than a necessity.
Specifically, Rice noted that after some time, they “had to put it in writing” of some form, though that has no real bearing on A.J.’s long-term status with the team.
“He does have a contract that he signs the signature page of, and I bet you if you asked him, ‘Does [he have] a contract at his house?,’ he would probably say, ‘No, but it’s in Chris’ office,’ and that’s our deal with A.J.” — Chris Rice
Regardless, until Kaulig officially announces that A.J. will be back in the No. 16 for 2027, expect fans to throw out speculation and guesses about any potential changes to the team’s lineup.
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