AJ returns to the Cup Series for 2025

Kaulig Racing has announced that AJ Allmendinger will return to the NASCAR Cup Series full-time next season. Currently competing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Allmendinger has driven for the Matt Kaulig-owned team in three of the last four seasons. The 42-year-old veteran has also raced in 10 Cup Series events this year, sharing the No. 16 car with drivers like Ty Dillon, Derek Kraus, Shane van Gisbergen, and Josh Williams.

Allmendinger has been with Kaulig Racing since 2019, initially signing on for five Xfinity Series races. During that stint, he secured his first NASCAR national series victory in nearly five years, which led to his transition to full-time competition in 2021.Two of his three career wins in the NASCAR Cup Series have come while driving for Kaulig, and his Xfinity Series victory tally now stands at 17—15 of those earned in the past five-plus seasons.

Allmendinger is currently sixth in the Xfinity Series standings, with three top-five finishes in 20 starts. He is set for double duty this weekend at Michigan International Speedway, where he will race the No. 16 Chevy in Saturday’s Xfinity Series Cabo Wabo 250 and Sunday’s Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400.