AJ Allmendinger claimed the Cup Series Bristol pole position for the prestigious Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, marking his first pole in the Cup Series since 2015 and his first on an oval since 2012. The surprising result took place on Friday, redirecting attention from the championship favorites to both Allmendinger and his No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet.
The moment caught many off guard, as coverage from NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck highlighted the unexpected nature of Allmendinger’s achievement. The No. 16 driver lapped the Bristol half-mile in 15.117 seconds at a speed of 126.930 mph, barely edging out Ryan Blaney by just three thousandths of a second to secure his fifth career Cup pole.
Unexpected Pace Leaves Competitors and Fans Stunned
Qualifying at Bristol is notoriously demanding, and even Allmendinger admitted the level of surprise after stepping out of his car, sharing insight into the challenge. As reported by Motorsports.com, Allmendinger noted that his car performed strongly throughout practice, allowing him to maintain speed and grip during his lap.
“I don’t know, I closed my eyes at a couple points,”
he joked after stepping out of the car. —AJ Allmendinger, Driver
The achievement was particularly meaningful for Allmendinger, who acknowledged that while this was only qualifying, winning the Bristol pole held special significance for both himself and Kaulig Racing’s small but improving organization. He emphasized how moments like these reflect the progress the team has worked hard to achieve on NASCAR’s biggest stage.
Describing himself as an “old dog” enjoying time in the spotlight, the 43-year-old expressed his hope of maintaining strong performance throughout the 500-lap feature on Saturday night. Ryan Blaney, who narrowly missed the pole with his 15.120-second lap, will start alongside Allmendinger in the front row.
Kaulig Racing Eyes Future with Truck Series Expansion
Beyond his role in the Cup Series, Allmendinger recently discussed Kaulig Racing’s future ambitions within NASCAR’s national circuits. Before making his way to Darlington for the Cook Out Southern 500, he addressed media questions about the organization’s plans regarding the Truck Series.
On August 23, RAM announced its intention to return to the Craftsman Truck Series in collaboration with Kaulig Racing beginning in 2026. The partnership was unveiled at the Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM dealership in Daytona, Florida, with plans for RAM to field five trucks at the launch, although driver selections have yet to be finalized.
Reporters inquired whether Allmendinger might compete in the program, to which he replied,
“I’ll drive whatever Chris [Rice] and Matt [Kaulig] want me to drive.”
—AJ Allmendinger, Driver
Meanwhile, speculation from Bubba Wallace’s spotter Freddie Kraft has raised the possibility that Daniel Dye and Brenden Queen could land seats in the RAM entries. Dye, who pilots Kaulig’s No. 10 car in the Xfinity Series, and Queen, an emerging talent, are among those linked to the new venture.
Kaulig Racing currently operates two cars in the Cup Series with Allmendinger and Ty Dillon and also fields Daniel Dye and Christian Eckes in the Xfinity Series. This looming expansion with RAM would establish Kaulig Racing across all three of NASCAR’s national categories, increasing the team’s visibility and development pipeline for upcoming drivers.
What Allmendinger’s Pole Means for Bristol Weekend
With Allmendinger securing the Cup Series Bristol pole position in a season dominated by playoff contenders, the result stands as a reminder that surprises remain possible in NASCAR’s highest level. His achievement draws attention to Kaulig Racing’s growth, supported by leadership from figures like Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice, and sets up a dramatic narrative as the race weekend unfolds.
The combination of a strong qualifying effort and the team’s expansion plans signals that Kaulig Racing is becoming a more formidable presence in the sport, both on track at Bristol and in the broader competitive landscape with their upcoming Truck Series campaign.
