On race day at Phoenix Raceway, the Kaulig Racing NASCAR recap was shaped by a series of setbacks that resulted in both team cars finishing outside the lead pack, with Ty Dillon and AJ Allmendinger battling major challenges throughout the event. This summary details how issues from tire troubles to car handling problems affected the team’s performance, where Kaulig Racing’s hopes for a stronger showing were ultimately unfulfilled on Sunday.
Difficult Race for Ty Dillon and the No. 10 Alpine Partners/AFLAC Team
Ty Dillon began the Phoenix Raceway event in the 34th position, representing the No. 10 Alpine Partners/AFLAC Camaro ZL1. Early in the competition, Dillon slipped a lap behind the leaders. The team worked persistently during the second stage, aiming to improve the car’s handling. Their efforts saw some reward as Dillon managed to regain lost ground, returning to the lead lap coinciding with a caution around lap 149. Unfortunately, on lap 183, a right rear tire issue forced Dillon into a spin, which caused significant damage to his Chevrolet. Following repairs in the garage, Dillon reentered the race 21 laps down. At the conclusion, Dillon was officially scored in 35th place, unable to overcome the deficit created by the incident.
AJ Allmendinger and the No. 16 Celsius Camaro Face Early Setback
The No. 16 Celsius Camaro ZL1, driven by AJ Allmendinger, started in the 38th position after not completing a qualifying lap for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway. Struggling with challenging car handling from the outset, Allmendinger and his crew, led by crew chief Trent Owens, attempted various adjustments to improve performance. Despite their adjustments, difficulties persisted, and a tire failure on lap 149 brought out a caution. The damage from the tire blowout ended the race early for the Celsius Chevy, relegating Allmendinger and his team to a 38th-place finish, several laps before the checkered flag.
Looking Ahead for Kaulig Racing
Both Kaulig Racing teams at Phoenix Raceway contended with significant obstacles that dramatically affected their NASCAR Cup Series finishes. The event was marked by unexpected tire problems, handling issues, and time spent in the garage, placing the No. 10 and No. 16 teams far behind the leaders. Crew chief Trent Owens and the drivers worked persistently to respond to the evolving track conditions, but the efforts were ultimately stymied by problems beyond their control. As the Cup Series progresses, Kaulig Racing will look to regroup and apply lessons from this challenging outing in hopes of better results in future events.
