AJ Allmendinger gets yet another Cup Series opportunity with Kaulig Racing

On Thursday, Kaulig Racing announced that the three-time Cup Series winner will return to the Cup Series full-time in 2025, taking over one of Kaulig's two Cup Series rides for a complete 2025 campaign while vacating his full-time ride in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. 

Allmendinger's move will put the 42-year-old back in the Cup Series full-time after a one-year hiatus. In 2023, Allmendinger finished 21st in Cup Series points and won that year's race at the Charlotte Roval. In 10 Cup Series starts so far in 2024, he's collected three top-10 finishes, including a top-10 in the Daytona 500. 

At the very least, Allmendinger will provide stability and a veteran presence for a Cup Series program that is still looking for consistently good results. With Daniel Hemric's 2024 campaign going poorly and little young talent available to Kaulig, re-signing a proven Cup Series winner such as Allmendinger may be the right move, at least for a single season. 

Kaulig will now have to replace Allmendinger in the No. 16 car in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2025. Despite a down year for Kaulig overall, Allmendinger has still put together a decent 2024 Xfinity Series season, as he sits sixth in points with 13 races remaining. 

Kaulig is also yet to announce who will drive its second full-time entry, the No. 31 car, in 2025, as Hemric's contract situation is up in the air. 

For one more year, however, Kaulig knows that it has its most dependable driver on the payroll.