WELCOME, N.C. – After scoring a victory for Kaulig Racing at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL in late September, A.J. Allemndinger will return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series organization next season.
Allmendinger will pilot Kaulig Racing’s No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro during the season-opening NASCAR Racing Experience 300 at Daytona (Fla.) Int’l Speedway in February.
The news was revealed by team president Chris Rice late Monday on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
“My PR department will probably kill me, but I’ll be more than glad to let everyone know that A.J. Allmendinger is coming back to run Daytona with us in the (No.) 16 car,” Rice said. “A.J. has done us a great job. We’ve got more things that we’re going to announce in January, but A.J. is going to pilot that car and I know he will do a great job. He did a great job in July, so I look forward to it.”
Allmendinger crossed the line third behind Kaulig teammates Ross Chastain and Justin Haley at Daytona on July 5, before that finish was stripped due to a post-race technical infraction (an engine seal issue) which resulted in a disqualification for the entry.
February’s season opener at Daytona will mark just the second time in team history that three Kaulig Racing entries will be fielded in the same event. Allmendinger will race alongside full-time teammates Ross Chastain and Justin Haley at the World Center of Racing.
Allmendinger is a three-time winner in Xfinity Series competition in 16 starts, all on road courses, with five top fives and two poles as well.
In NASCAR Cup Series action, Allmendinger earned one victory, 11 top-five and 57 top-10 finishes over the course of his tenure at the sport’s highest level. He’s now part of NBC Sports’ IMSA TV coverage.