Kaulig Racing is experiencing a remarkable turnaround in the competitive landscape of the NASCAR Cup Series this season. This progress, though incremental, signifies a noteworthy improvement, especially as the team looks to enhance its standings. Heading into this weekend’s race at Talladega, AJ Allmendinger, one of the team’s key drivers, currently sits 16th in the Cup standings. Although he has yet to secure a win or a top-5 finish, Allmendinger is gaining momentum, having achieved three top-10 finishes in his last five races.
Then there’s Ty Dillon, Allmendinger’s teammate, who has shown significant growth. In his first full season in the Cup Series since 2023, Dillon is currently placed 29th in the standings. However, his performance has been more competitive, regularly finishing between 15th and 20th in several races, including four finishes within the top-16. Dillon’s promotion to full-time status with Kaulig Racing comes after just seven starts for the team last year, underscoring the trust placed in him.
A recent episode of the Dale Jr. Download, hosted by Dale Earnhardt Jr., explored the achievements and struggles of various teams and drivers in the current season. Earnhardt expressed strong sentiments regarding Kaulig Racing, stating that both Allmendinger and Dillon have clearly exceeded expectations this year. “I give them a hard time,” Earnhardt said. “We’ve raced against them all the time in the Xfinity Series, and at times like Daytona and Talladega over the years, they’ve been a thorn in our sides, they’ve been tough competitors. We love to race them and beat them, and they love to beat us.”
Reflecting on Kaulig’s previous season, Earnhardt noted, “Last year, they were abysmal, awful (their only full-time driver, Daniel Hemric, finished a lowly 29th). I was even under the impression that maybe they were looking for the exit ramp as an organization in the Cup world.” Fast-forward to the present, with Allmendinger returning to the Cup car and Dillon joining the team, Earnhardt remarked on the positive shift in performance: “Both cars have overachieved in my opinion. Just looking at the statistics, you can see a huge improvement. AJ’s been running great.”
As the upcoming race at Talladega approaches, it’s worth mentioning that even though Dillon occupies the 29th position in the standings, he has managed to outperform notable names such as former Cup champion Brad Keselowski, as well as Noah Gragson, Shane Van Gisbergen, and Riley Herbst. This achievement speaks volumes about his tenacity and determination.
“The number one trait Ty has in his mind and on the racetrack is determination,” Earnhardt noted, highlighting Dillon’s unwavering belief in his abilities. The 33-year-old driver, who is the brother of fellow Cup driver Austin Dillon and grandson of renowned Cup team owner Richard Childress, has faced considerable challenges throughout his career. With 254 starts under his belt, Ty Dillon has not yet secured a win. Over the years, his record includes merely two top-5 finishes and seven top-10 finishes, with his best season finish being just 24th in 2017 for Germain Racing.
Earnhardt acknowledged the challenges Dillon has faced, stating, “He’s stubborn. Most people who’ve had the career he’s had would go, ‘Meh, I guess I don’t got it, it’s just not for me,’ or they’d beat themselves down.” However, he added, “But when he’s behind the wheel of that car, he’s a damn stubborn ass, I’m going to drive my ass off and I belong here kinda guy. And it’s starting to prove out.” The evidence of improvement is beginning to be recognized, with many observers on social media noticing that Kaulig Racing’s vehicles are noticeably more competitive this season.
Earnhardt further elaborated on the difficulties Kaulig Racing encounters as a smaller organization competing against larger teams. “It’s hard to be recognized, and for an organization like theirs that’s much, much smaller and they have an alliance with a larger team (Richard Childress Racing), they’re not supposed to do this,” he explained. “They’re right behind these bigger teams, they’re right up their ass, man, and it’s impressive to see.”
With regard to Allmendinger’s return to full-time Cup racing, Earnhardt remarked on the initial concern about his drive. “I didn’t know if AJ still had the drive, but the dude’s getting up there. He’s done it, what’s he got to prove?” he pondered, recalling how Allmendinger had seemed frustrated in the past, at one point appearing ready to drop back to the Xfinity Series for a more enjoyable experience. Yet, team owner Matt Kaulig played a crucial role in convincing Allmendinger to reinvest his efforts into the Cup Series, leading to a promising start this season.
“And then I was surprised when he took the role to go back,” Earnhardt concluded, emphasizing the tough and cutthroat nature of the Cup racing environment. “The Cup racing garage, they ain’t smiling, it ain’t roses and sunshine over there, that garage is tough, it’s cutthroat.” In contrast, he mentioned the Xfinity Series, which often has a more laid-back atmosphere where competitors enjoy their time on the track. Yet, Allmendinger has embraced the challenge, showcasing his dedication to making it work in the Cup Series.
In summary, Ty Dillon’s journey signifies resilience and determination within Kaulig Racing as they continue to defy expectations in the NASCAR Cup Series. With the team showing marked improvement and earning recognition, the remainder of the season promises to be an exciting showdown as both Dillon and Allmendinger strive for further success.
