Daniel Dye’s ongoing Kaulig Racing Xfinity Series journey has entered its most decisive phase, as he faces the challenges and unpredictability of the 2024 NASCAR season, lean years with a team in transition, and the pressure of making a name for himself among a competitive rookie class. With two races left before the playoffs, Dye’s journey is a unique mix of high hopes, persistent learning, and organizational change at Kaulig Racing.
Adapting to Xfinity After Truck Series Success
After spending two seasons in the Craftsman Truck Series, Daniel Dye chose to embark on a full-time stint in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, finding Kaulig Racing an appealing option. Dye built experience with a partial 2024 schedule of ten Xfinity races to better understand the upcoming demands. Despite a strong showing in the postseason with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing as a rookie, he found a significant leap in difficulty transitioning to Xfinity, though he managed to notch two top-ten finishes early on. As he described, the opportunity allowed him to erase a few unknowns before committing fully to the series, which proved valuable during this year’s campaign.
“It knocks off a handful of the unknowns, which is good to come into something that is not completely brand new and fresh,”
Dye said.—Daniel Dye, Driver
Reflecting on his time split between the Truck and Xfinity Series, Dye explained how mixing in Xfinity races last year helped build a base, even if the team’s performance this season has been unpredictable.
“My focus was the Truck Series, but throwing some things in the notebook last year was good. I think it helped us this year. Unfortunately, you can’t see that because of the wild ups and downs we’ve had this year.”
—Daniel Dye, Driver
Challenges of a Competitive Rookie Field
The 2024 Xfinity field is crowded with stand-out rookies including Connor Zilisch, all vying for attention alongside more established names. Dye currently sits next-to-last among first-year drivers in the championship standings, positioned ahead of William Sawalich, who has endured difficulties despite driving for powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing. The steep learning curve, intensified by the level of competition and internal challenges with Kaulig Racing’s Xfinity program, has put pressure on Dye and his rookie teammate, Christian Eckes.
Chris Rice, the president of Kaulig Racing, acknowledged the team’s struggles over the past 18 months, grading Dye’s performance as average but expressing optimism about his ability and effort. Dye’s results—seven top-ten finishes across 24 races—are similar to fellow rookie Eckes, reflecting broader team development needs.
“I thought it started really well and we fell off in the middle and I think he’s had some awful luck lately,”
Rice said.—Chris Rice, Kaulig Racing President
Rice elaborated on the lack of veteran mentorship following AJ Allmendinger’s move, emphasizing how Dye has faced the transition largely on his own.
“We haven’t given him anything to go off of. We don’t have an AJ (Allmendinger) sitting in there, somebody to help him or anything like that. We’ve got nothing, so he’s had to figure it out on his own and he’s done a good job.”
—Chris Rice, Kaulig Racing President
The Value of Strong Teammate Relationships
Dye’s partnership with Christian Eckes, regarded as a premier prospect in the sport, has been a key positive throughout his Kaulig Racing Xfinity Series journey. The two had built rapport when Dye was with GMS Racing during his Truck Series rookie year in 2023 and strengthened their bond further as teammates at McAnally. Dye credits Eckes with providing valuable support and growth opportunities, even when they technically raced for separate teams.
“Christian has been the best teammate I’ve ever had and was actually my best teammate at GMS when we weren’t even teammates,”
Dye said.—Daniel Dye, Driver
“Out of the two guys that were my teammates and then the other two at McAnally, Christian was my best teammate out of those four. We continued to be that way last year when we were real teammates and are still that way this year.”
—Daniel Dye, Driver
Leaning on Veteran Advice As Season Winds Down
The 2025 season looks unpredictable to Dye, who compares it to a “yo-yo.” With the return of Allmendinger to the NASCAR Cup Series after a competitive 2024 Xfinity run, Dye has made the most of learning from his more experienced peers, including Allmendinger, as much as possible. Dye emphasizes the collective struggle within the team and the continual effort to build a competitive Kaulig Racing Xfinity program.
“It’s been a great experience and I’ve learned a lot, trying to be a sponge and lean on everyone that I can,”
said Dye.—Daniel Dye, Driver
“We’re struggling a little bit, and we’re struggling together. We talk all the time and we’re doing what we can as a race team to keep pushing and make Kaulig Racing and their Xfinity program better.”
—Daniel Dye, Driver
Pivotal Closing Races and Missed Opportunities
With just two regular season races left at Portland International Raceway and World Wide Technology Raceway, Dye faces mounting urgency to secure a playoff berth. While not a fan of road courses like Portland, he does feel comfortable at tracks such as World Wide Technology Raceway. Looking back, he highlights three specific races, including Nashville, where misfortune—whether crashes or disqualifications—robbed him of better finishes. The season’s erratic nature and missed opportunities have been a recurring theme.
“I wish we were a little closer to being in the playoffs,”
Dye reflected.—Daniel Dye, Driver
“There are a handful of things that did not go our way. Also some races where we needed to run better and we didn’t. This is probably the craziest and most inconsistent year. It’s this sport. They throw curveballs at you from all directions.”
—Daniel Dye, Driver
Kaulig Racing’s Strategic Expansion and Future Uncertainty
The dynamic between Dye and Kaulig Racing has strengthened as both look toward the future. Recently, Kaulig Racing revealed plans to launch a five-team Craftsman Truck Series program as the lead Ram organization beginning in 2026, holding their announcement at the Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram dealership owned by Dye’s father, Randy. While roles for 2026 remain undecided—Rice’s search for new drivers and staff is just beginning—Dye emerges as a logical candidate considering his family’s connections and status within the team, although neither Rice nor Dye confirmed such plans.
“We’re going to have a lot of people beating us up since we are the anchor team like, ‘what are we going to do?’”
Rice said.—Chris Rice, Kaulig Racing President
“We have a lot of questions to answer, but as we go through drivers and look at drivers, everyone will be interviewed.”
—Chris Rice, Kaulig Racing President
Balancing Manufacturer Ties and Long-Term Growth
Dye is enthusiastic about his father’s efforts in facilitating Ram’s NASCAR presence, even as he continues to credit those who helped him advance within the Chevrolet camp at the national level, notably adviser Josh Wise. While his time with Chevrolet has been marked by significant progress, Dye appreciates the momentum his father’s hard work has brought to the racing community and Kaulig organization.
“[It’s] transformed my career and I owe a lot to them,”
Dye remarked.—Daniel Dye, Driver
“But on the other end of things, still excited that all of my dad’s hard work on trying to bring these guys back to the sport is paying off and I think they’ve picked a good organization to do so with.”
—Daniel Dye, Driver
What Lies Ahead for Daniel Dye and Kaulig Racing
With the regular season reaching its conclusion and the landscape of Kaulig Racing shifting, Daniel Dye’s Xfinity Series journey in 2024 remains a powerful case study in perseverance and adaptability. The synergy with teammate Christian Eckes and continued learning from senior figures like Allmendinger are central to Dye’s growth, even amidst team struggles and unpredictable finishes. As Kaulig’s broader ambitions—including their upcoming Truck Series expansion—shape the organization’s future, Dye’s partnership with the team could become increasingly important, both for his personal career and for the direction of Kaulig Racing’s national programs. The final two races will not only determine Dye’s playoff fate but may also offer clarity on the next steps for him and the team alike.
