In the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, A.J. Allmendinger achieved a noteworthy victory. However, there are doubts about his return to full-time competition with Kaulig Racing in 2024.
Back in July, Kaulig Racing made the decision to find a new driver for the No. 31 Chevrolet in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season due to Justin Haley’s departure to Rick Ware Racing. Daniel Hemric, who joined their Xfinity Series team the previous year, has been named as Haley’s replacement.
It now appears that the 2024 full-time Cup Series lineup for the team might see a complete turnover, with rumors suggesting that Ty Dillon will replace A.J. Allmendinger after Allmendinger spent only one season as the No. 16 Chevrolet driver.
Although, on the surface, this move might seem perplexing, Allmendinger has expressed his willingness to accept whatever decision team owner Matt Kaulig and team president Chris Rice think would benefit the organization as a whole.
This could potentially lead to a return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Allmendinger.
It’s likely that Allmendinger aspires to compete for a championship and be a strong contender in the Xfinity Series on a weekly basis, which he cannot achieve in the current status of Kaulig Racing in the Cup Series.
It’s also important to consider that Kaulig Racing may not have the capability to perform at a championship level in the Cup Series with Hemric and Dillon in the lineup. Therefore, having the team’s top driver compete in the series where they have had the most success and can genuinely compete for the title is a strategic approach.
Throughout two full seasons (2021 and 2022) with Kaulig Racing’s Xfinity Series team, Allmendinger secured 10 wins. He also earned five more wins in selective starts as a part-time driver over three seasons (2019, 2020, and 2023).
Furthermore, running a third car in select races throughout the 2023 season, Kaulig Racing may still have the opportunity for Allmendinger to compete in the Cup Series next year, while focusing on a potential Xfinity Series title run.
With a limited schedule, it provides their best chance for attaining more Cup Series wins while optimizing the entire program’s potential to achieve success. This could lead to the concept of “trophy hunting” becoming more pronounced than ever before.
While there might be concerns about Dillon’s performance over the past two seasons, the decision to replace Allmendinger with him will be a matter for future consideration.
Olivia Carter revs up excitement in the world of NASCAR. As a dedicated motorsports enthusiast, she covers race results, driver profiles, and the latest developments in the NASCAR world, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
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