Kaulig Racing Go Bowling at The Glen was marked by intense competition and strategic maneuvers, ultimately securing an 11th place finish for AJ Allmendinger while Ty Dillon battled through adversity to finish 30th. The event at Watkins Glen highlighted both the highs and challenges faced by the team throughout the race weekend.
AJ Allmendinger Races to 11th After Aggressive Strategy
AJ Allmendinger, behind the wheel of the No. 16 Grizzly Nicotine Pouches Camaro ZL1, started the race from the 18th position. Gaining two places on the opening lap, he quickly settled into 16th. Allmendinger noticed early that his car was handling loosely, prompting a scheduled pit stop on lap 17 while the race remained under green flag conditions. The team made adjustments to improve competitiveness, hoping to climb further up the order.
Taking full advantage of a caution period, Allmendinger’s strategy involved staying out and pushing through Stage 2, which enabled him to collect valuable stage points before pitting again. By the end of Stage 2, he claimed fourth and earned a total of seven stage points. Despite some hesitation about the overall strategy, Allmendinger and his crew managed to finish the race in 11th place after a consistent run late in the event.
“Overall, I felt like we maximized our day. I wish we could have been a little bit faster all weekend. I’m proud of Trent [Owens] and the 16 group; we were able to make some good changes to be more competitive for the race. I messed up the strategy but honestly, I’m not sure how much that really impacted our race. We got stage points and earned an 11th place. We were hoping for better, but I’m proud of the effort from everyone to get the most out of our weekend.”
—AJ Allmendinger, Driver
Ty Dillon’s Race Filled with Obstacles and Recovery
Ty Dillon, driving the No. 10 Sea Best Camaro ZL1, faced a much steeper climb after starting 32nd. Showing early race pace, Dillon worked his way up to 24th before a collision with a slower competitor on lap 28. Fortunately, the car did not sustain significant damage, allowing him to continue following the caution.
Despite multiple pit stops and adjustments, the team’s pit strategy did not play out as expected, and Dillon rounded out the event in 30th position, reflecting the persistent difficulties faced throughout the day.
Significance for Kaulig Racing and What Comes Next
Kaulig Racing’s performance at Go Bowling at The Glen showcased both the resilience and determination of its drivers and crews. The team made bold strategy calls, particularly with Allmendinger, earning crucial stage points and maintaining a competitive edge in a turbulent race. Ty Dillon’s perseverance after his incident reflected the underlying effort to salvage a result under challenging conditions.
As the team looks to upcoming races, the experience gained at Watkins Glen—balancing risk, strategy, and quick adjustments—will be vital in shaping future results. Eyes now turn to how Kaulig Racing and its key players, like AJ Allmendinger and Trent Owens, continue to build on lessons learned from this dramatic outing.
