AJ Allmendinger, driver of the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, recently shared his perspective on the AJ Allmendinger Daytona 500 experience during the 2026 DAYTONA 500 Media Day. Allmendinger reflected on his competitive history at the iconic event and paid a heartfelt tribute to former racing rival Greg Biffle, whose impact is still felt in the NASCAR community.
Remembering Greg Biffle’s Legacy and Special Tribute
Allmendinger spoke candidly about Greg Biffle and the meaning behind running a special number font on his car, a nod to Biffle’s lasting influence. Biffle, known for both his fierce racing style and his off-track contributions, particularly in times of crisis, left a mark that Allmendinger continues to honor.
“Yeah, first and foremost it’s sad that we have to run it. Greg was somebody that I had many battles with on the racetrack and there were some competition meetings that we had some battles with as well. All fun memories, but the impact that he had in the community after he retired and obviously the floods and the everything that he did for that stand out. Then you start hearing the trickle-down effect of everything he was doing. He was just a great person, and I enjoyed him and when he would come back to the racetrack and pick up conversations that we probably hadn’t had in a couple of years like they were five minutes ago. So I am sure there was a process of checking with Roush and making sure it was okay, but to us, it was a no brainer to do it if they allowed it. And hopefully this race is special for so many reasons, but if we were able to pull into victory lane on Sunday night it would be just a little bit more knowing that the font on the side of the car and what it means.”
– AJ Allmendinger
Stories from Past Competition Meetings with Biffle
The relationship between Allmendinger and Biffle was defined not just by their on-track rivalry but also by legendary competitive exchanges behind the scenes. Allmendinger recalled a particularly heated competition meeting that ultimately captured both their strong personalities and mutual respect. After an intense argument, the two quickly shifted gears, finding common ground about track conditions and their vehicles’ performance.
“Yeah, I have got one in the competition meeting where we had a little bit of an argument after and what I laugh about is the argument was quite heated, and it was very heated. I think we were both raging at each other and then I went into my spiel about my racecar and then literally like two minutes later he was like, ‘man, your car was doing the same thing?’ and I was like, ‘yeah I had the same issue’ and it was like 20 minutes that just happened didn’t happen. I remember I walked out of the meeting, and I just started laughing about it. Because that was the type of person he was and how we both are. Its like one minute we were about to get in each other’s face and then we were like ‘yeah, yeah, our cars are doing the same thing’, and it never happened. So, the battles on the racetrack were a lot of fun, but that one, the competition meeting will always stand out to me.”
– AJ Allmendinger
Early Daytona 500 Experiences: Setbacks and Resilience
Allmendinger did not have an easy entry into the Daytona 500. His initial attempts were marked by intense disappointment, with crashes and near misses dashing his hopes. However, these early struggles cemented his perseverance and ultimately propelled his career forward, especially after a pivotal race where he secured a third-place finish in a rain-shortened event. This hard-fought achievement provided the foundation for his ongoing journey in NASCAR.
“The first one I made, or the first two I attended and didn’t make? Because the first two years were gut-wrenching and just absolute sadness. Because I got wrecked in lap seven of my first attempt at it in the Duels, when they had 68 cars here and I was at another race team that I will not mention. Then the next year, I was like a half of a car length from making it and didn’t make it. So, the first two years here were gut-wrenching and the third year here, I had to race my way in and honestly had a shot to win it. It was rain-shortened that year and finished third and that, in a way, is what kept me going in the sport. So, without finishing third there, I don’t know if I would have had a continued career in NASCAR.”
– AJ Allmendinger
Teamwork and Familiar Faces: Partnering with Ty Dillon
With a changing crew and the return of Ty Dillon as teammate, Allmendinger highlighted the importance of stability and shared experience heading into this year’s Daytona 500. While some crew members have changed, the core dynamic with Dillon, the crew chiefs, and engineers has provided a sense of continuity, allowing the team to build on last season’s lessons. Allmendinger values Dillon’s similar approach and personality, suggesting their collaboration has strengthened the team’s performance and preparation for the high-stakes event.
“The situation that I just talked about, in trying to keep at least some things together. You know, I think there is a little bit of change on the crew side of it but for the most part with Ty (Dillon) and myself, and the crew chiefs, and some of the engineers….I think we have brought in some good people, building our own bodies and we have to bring in some people and its strengthened the race team on that. But on the Ty side of it, I have known Ty for a long time but I have never generally worked with him till last year and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I feel like we kind of have the same personalities of the way we work together. So, to have him back is huge for our race team to just keep that together. Really that helps too in just going off a notebook and not having any data, knowing the stuff that we felt last year so that we can kind of work on that this year maybe when we are off a little bit on a race weekend and just go back to using the notes that we had last year, because that is all we got.”
– AJ Allmendinger
Strategy and Mindset for the Upcoming Race
When asked about his approach to the AJ Allmendinger Daytona 500 this year, Allmendinger detailed his emphasis on process, caution, and adaptability. He acknowledged the unpredictability of superspeedway races and the critical importance of avoiding major accidents, particularly the notorious multi-car crashes that define Daytona’s character.
“I approach it like I always do. First you want to finish, but you just go through the process of the week. And I feel like we will have fast race cars – we typically do at the superspeedways. But, a lot of guys will have fast race cars, so I kind of more judge it after the Duel. Qualifying, unless you are on the front row, doesn’t mean anything. I judge it after the Duel and see what kind of car you got as far as handling-wise, drafting-wise, and then you go from there. You just try to make the right moves on Sunday. I feel like it’s always the same thing, you don’t want to be in the big one and you definitely don’t want to be the cause of it. That is the first goal. Hopefully you make the right moves, and you have a shot at the end of the race.”
– AJ Allmendinger
The Intensity and Danger of Racing at Daytona
Allmendinger did not shy away from acknowledging the peril and “wild” atmosphere at Daytona. He described the psychological shift drivers experience once the race begins and the unpredictable chaos that ensues when several cars compete inches apart at high speeds. His comments painted a vivid picture of the emotion and risk every driver accepts for a shot at glory at the Daytona 500.
“All of them. We are all psycho out there. Generally, I think we are all pretty calm and then we strap the helmet on and it cuts off the oxygen to our heads, and we become morons out there. So they are all hairy. There are many wrecks that I should have been in, the ones that I have been in hurt, and you are out there and you are four-wide on lap 12 and you are like, ‘this is stupid, what are we doing?’. Then you are, ‘I am just going to lay back’, and then no, I am like ‘I am just going to run and why not stick it up in there?’. So, yeah, it’s all crazy.”
– AJ Allmendinger
Looking Ahead: The Emotional Stakes of the Daytona 500
As Allmendinger and his Kaulig Racing team prepare for another run at the Daytona 500, the event resonates with deep personal and professional meaning. The combination of honoring Greg Biffle, overcoming past hardships, and working with a dedicated team underscores the intensity and unpredictability that makes Daytona one of the most significant races on the NASCAR calendar. Drivers like Allmendinger accept the risks and emotional rollercoaster, all for the chance to make history and achieve victory at the legendary superspeedway.
