Kaulig Racing is undergoing a significant transformation as it prepares to end its Richard Childress Racing alliance and operate independently for future NASCAR seasons. The organization’s move comes as it transitions from its North Carolina base on RCR’s campus to a self-run facility, signaling major change for the team and its partners, including Chevrolet and RAM.
Kaulig Racing Prepares for Independent Operations After Richard Childress Racing Alliance
After years of collaborating closely with Richard Childress Racing, Kaulig Racing is now moving operations away from the RCR campus in North Carolina. The team’s president, Chris Rice, confirmed this transition during a recent SiriusXM NASCAR radio interview, announcing plans for relocation and self-sufficiency. With ambitions to compete in the Truck Series with a five-car program alongside RAM, the team is restructuring both technically and operationally.
Kaulig Racing will continue fielding two full-time entries in the Cup Series and retaining their presence in the Xfinity Series with the No. 11 vehicle. Despite maintaining their relationship with Chevrolet, the fledgling partnership with RAM takes on increased significance, as RAM’s parent company, Stellantis, targets a 2027 Cup Series debut. Rice emphasized the importance of securely managing data between their longstanding Chevrolet link and the new RAM collaboration, underscoring the need for robust firewall protocols to maintain proprietary information for each party.
“We’re hiring left and right. I think over the last three weeks, we’ve had about 10 people start and we’ve had a lot of engineers start because not only building five trucks, we’re going to be out on our own on Cup. We’re not going to be able to alliance with RCR and do those things, so we’re going to kind of be out on our own on that.
Chris Rice, Team President
“So we’re building our own Cup program, building our own bodies and different things like that. And hey, Matt Kaulig always told me, ‘Man, let’s go stand on our own two feet for the next 10 years. That’d be 20 years in the sport,” he added.
Chris Rice, Team President
To bolster its new structure, Kaulig Racing has increased recruitment, particularly in engineering roles, in preparation for running its independent Cup and Truck Series teams. This expansion follows their philosophy of long-term self-reliance, as referred to by Rice and team owner Matt Kaulig.
Brenden Queen Set for Key Races with Kaulig Racing
Looking ahead, Kaulig Racing named Brenden Queen, the reigning ARCA Menards champion, to drive in the final three events of their 2025 Xfinity Series campaign. Queen, who is widely recognized in the racing community as “Butterbean,” is also expected to secure a full-time Truck Series ride with the team next year. These moves highlight Kaulig’s commitment to developing new talent and reinforcing its lineup during this pivotal period of change.
Ty Dillon’s Spotter Change Follows Las Vegas Incident
In the wake of a crash involving Ty Dillon and William Byron at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Kaulig Racing has parted ways with Dillon’s spotter, Joe White. The dismissal occurred shortly after the incident, with White sharing on X that he received notification after reaching Talladega, another iconic motorsport location. NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass reported the immediate personnel changes for the No. 10 spotter team.
“AJ Allmendinger spotter Frank Deiny is now listed as spotter for Ty Dillon … TJ Bell is now listed as spotter for AJ Allmendinger,” he wrote on X.
Bob Pockrass, NASCAR Analyst
The decision triggered discontent among fans, many of whom perceived White as being unfairly blamed for the Las Vegas accident. Freddie Kraft, spotter for Bubba Wallace, weighed in and suggested a breakdown in communication as the probable cause of the crash. Notably, Dillon did not signal his intention to pit, contributing to the collision with William Byron and deepening the scrutiny on Kaulig Racing’s handling of critical race information.
What This Turning Point Means for Kaulig Racing’s Future
With the closure of the Richard Childress Racing alliance and formation of new ties with RAM, Kaulig Racing is entering an era defined by independence and technical evolution. By investing in staff, forging new partnerships, and providing opportunities to rising talents like Brenden Queen, the team positions itself for long-term competitiveness in NASCAR’s Truck, Xfinity, and Cup Series. The changes in personnel and operations reflect a larger commitment to carve out a distinct identity and meet future racing challenges on its own terms, while maintaining connections with established brands such as Chevrolet and welcoming new ambitions with RAM.
