Kaulig Racing has announced its decision to leave the NASCAR Xfinity Series after the 2025 season, as it shifts focus toward the Cup Series and a new Truck Series program. The Kaulig Racing Xfinity Series exit is framed as a temporary break, with CEO Chris Rice stating their intention to return to the second-tier NASCAR series in the future.
Kaulig Racing to Step Back from the Xfinity Series After 2025
Kaulig Racing, known for its significant presence in the Xfinity Series, will step away following the 2025 season. The team, which has established itself as a formidable competitor with 27 Xfinity wins and two Championship 4 appearances led by A.J. Allmendinger, is making this change to concentrate resources. The move comes alongside the manufacturer’s return to the Truck Series, where Kaulig will debut as the first team to field RAM entries.
Chris Rice spoke on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio about the difficult decision, acknowledging the impact on the organization and the series. The focus, he explained, must temporarily move away from the Xfinity Series so that efforts can be directed into advancing their Cup Series and Truck Series programs.
“The Xfinity Series is where we were born and raised. We have made a choice that we need to focus really hard on our [Truck Series] program and our [Cup Series] program to push it forward. So, you guys will see us back in [the] Xfinity Series in the coming years, but we gotta pause it for a little bit,” Chris Rice said.
Kaulig Racing currently operates three full-time cars in the Xfinity Series. Two rookies—Daniel Dye in the #10 Chevrolet and Christian Eckes in the #16—handle full-time driving duties. The #11 car has seen a rotating lineup, including NASCAR Cup drivers like Carson Hocevar, Michael McDowell, and Justin Haley throughout the 2025 campaign.
Reflecting on recent seasons, Kaulig Racing reached the Championship 4 twice, in both 2021 and 2024, with A.J. Allmendinger driving the #16 car. Allmendinger’s best finish in those title races was third place, underscoring the team’s competitive edge in the series.
New Direction: Truck Series Plans and Driver Announcements
As Kaulig Racing prepares for its Xfinity hiatus, the team is building momentum for an expanded presence in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. In a key development for 2026, Justin Haley and Daniel Dye have been confirmed to run full-time for the Truck team, joining Brenden Queen as three of the five announced drivers for the upcoming program.
“We’ve locked in two more. @danieldye43 and @Justin_Haley_ will drive @RamTrucks full-time in 2026 for Kaulig Racing!”
Justin Haley currently drives full-time for Spire Motorsports in the Cup Series, piloting the #7 car, while Daniel Dye is in his rookie Xfinity season with Kaulig, competing in the #10 Chevrolet. Their addition signals Kaulig’s commitment to strengthening its Truck Series lineup as the organization diversifies its NASCAR participation.
Looking Ahead: Kaulig Racing’s Ongoing Commitment
Kaulig Racing’s temporary withdrawal from the Xfinity Series is a reflection of its strategic effort to adapt within a dynamic NASCAR environment. The team, led by Chris Rice, remains vocal about its origins within the Xfinity field and assures fans a future return. By emphasizing the growth of their Truck Series program and ongoing Cup efforts, Kaulig aims to maintain competitiveness, develop new talent like Daniel Dye, Christian Eckes, and Brenden Queen, and further the legacy built with drivers such as A.J. Allmendinger and Justin Haley.
This shift is expected to reshape the team’s focus for the 2026 season, while the guarantee of a return to Xfinity reassures fans and partners alike that this pause is not a farewell, but rather a significant recalibration for long-term success and sustainability within NASCAR.
We've locked in two more.@danieldye43 and @Justin_Haley_ will drive @RamTrucks full-time in 2026 for Kaulig Racing! pic.twitter.com/jPhXU63NdF
— Kaulig Trucks (@Kaulig_Trucks) October 29, 2025
