Kaulig Racing Cup Series performance has drawn determined words from CEO Chris Rice, who insists the team is on track for the 2026 season despite navigating ongoing resource constraints. With the NASCAR schedule pressing on into late February, Rice stands by the current approach, expressing satisfaction with results across both the Truck and Cup Series as the organization seeks a breakthrough weekend.
Facing Shortfalls, Rice Praises Driver Commitment in the Cup Series
On the eve of the second Cup Series race, Kaulig Racing finds itself up against the familiar struggle of limited support and resources. The Cup Series drivers, Ty Dillon and AJ Allmendinger, currently hold the 17th and 18th spots in the standings—positions that reflect both their individual efforts and the broader challenges the team faces this year. Rice reiterates that, considering the circumstances, both drivers are extracting the maximum from what’s available, determined not to let so-called limits dictate their fate in the top tier.
Truck Team’s Momentum Builds With Top-Twenty Atlanta Finish
The Truck operation is providing reason for optimism. All Kaulig Racing drivers secured finishes inside the top 20 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, with Justin Haley’s 10th-place result marking a standout. Rice sees this as not only a confidence booster but a signal that drivers like Haley and Colin Braun are legitimate contenders as the Truck Series shifts focus to St. Pete. He attributes a significant share of this progress to Allmendinger, who has been hands-on in preparing the trucks for upcoming races, setting baseline performances and even playing a direct role in recruiting Braun to the lineup.
Allmendinger Determined Despite Cup Series Uncertainties
The limitations in manufacturer support almost sidelined AJ Allmendinger for the Cup Series race at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), but both he and Rice refuse to yield. Allmendinger remains steadfast, channeling energy into car preparation and emphasizing the need for adaptability as the team battles unknowns related to their car’s aerodynamics. While external doubts swirl, Allmendinger remains personally invested:
“I’ve studied everything I can study in car-wise, and I’ll continually do it going into the Circuit of the Americas. I put a lot of that on myself when Goodyear keeps bringing a softer tire, trying to make it last. I do think there were certain road courses we didn’t have a lot of speed on—Watkins Glen stood out to me. I thought we were taped out and running at the edge of the top 10. So, he definitely is making everyone step up a level.
But when it comes to me and my frustration with SVG, no, because we’re not running second, either. We just have to get better, and I have to get better in the car to get back to where we were,” said Allmendinger.
Kaulig Racing CEO Credits Team Effort and Allmendinger’s Leadership
Chris Rice, addressing fans and media, doubled down on his appreciation for the Truck team’s showing at Atlanta, highlighting Allmendinger’s technical leadership and his recruitment of Colin Braun as pivotal moves. The steady synergy between Allmendinger, Justin Haley, and Braun forms the core of Rice’s optimism for the St. Pete race, as the team chases a landmark victory amid a competitive field.
Pressures Mount Heading Toward COTA—A Showcase for Road Course Specialists
Within the Cup garage, anticipation is building for the next big test at the Circuit of the Americas. Allmendinger’s group still needs crucial aerodynamic data, yet the challenge is not just technical—it is also about matching the exceptional performances of rivals such as Shane van Gisbergen, whose road course expertise has rapidly become the benchmark in the series. Tyler Reddick, himself twice a winner already this season, recently shared his frustration with the new bar being set:
“It drives me nuts going to a road course and getting just dusted by Shane. So, we’ve been working really hard to work around our road course program and look at some things. We’ve had decent speed firing off, and that’s just not good enough. We’ve been working hard, trying things, seeing what things are like in sim,”
said Reddick.
Shane van Gisbergen Raises the Bar Across NASCAR Disciplines
Van Gisbergen’s combination of road course prowess and rapidly improving oval skills—highlighted by a sixth-place finish at Atlanta—has the paddock on alert. His background provides him with a deep reservoir of experience few can match, and at times this has demoralized those trying to catch up. Nevertheless, the memory of his defeat at COTA in 2025 is fueling his rivals’ motivation.
Rivals Refuse to Back Down Ahead of COTA
Daniel Suarez, reflecting on van Gisbergen’s dominance, captured the competitive spirit that defines the Cup field:
“He has been doing road course racing for a long time, and he’s very experienced as well, so it’s the perfect combination. He has probably more experience than the entire field combined in road-course racing. But guess what? He’s human. So, as far as I know, every human here is beatable. So, we’re working very, very hard to get there,”
said Suarez.
Additionally, Connor Zilisch is emerging as another potential disruptor. With a traditional racing background and seat time with Trackhouse Racing, Zilisch represents another hope for breaking van Gisbergen’s stranglehold on road courses, providing yet more motivation for contenders like Allmendinger and the broader Kaulig lineup.
What the Calculated Approach Means for Kaulig Racing
As the 2026 season gains momentum, Kaulig Racing is positioned as a team balancing ambition with realism. The pressure applied by standouts like van Gisbergen only intensifies the need for innovation and resilience among up-and-coming teams facing structural limits. Still, the resolve shown by Chris Rice and AJ Allmendinger signals an unwavering belief that, with each race, the organization edges closer to competitive parity. Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely as Kaulig Racing pursues progress in both the Cup and Truck Series, striving for breakthroughs at COTA and St. Pete that could mark a turning point in their ongoing campaign.
Notes from Kaulig Racing CEO’s Chris Rice’s radio hit!
* He was very happy with the truck performance at Atlanta
* AJ Allmendinger set the baseline set up for the truck guys this weekend at St. Pete
* Allmendinger was 100% responsible for Colin Braun coming on board
* He… pic.twitter.com/gg2zw93HGB
— Rammin Is Racing (@RamminIsRacing) February 26, 2026
