The NASCAR Cup Series makes its way to Phoenix Raceway for an important short-track event this Sunday, as Kaulig Racing competes in the season’s fourth points race. The team, featuring drivers AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon, aims to capitalize on their recent progress and establish momentum at this demanding one-mile oval, with Phoenix shaping up to be an early test for their 2026 campaign.
Strong Outing in Texas Lays Groundwork
Kaulig Racing arrives in Arizona following a notable showing at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, where AJ Allmendinger placed ninth and Ty Dillon finished sixteenth, demonstrating steady improvement. With Dillon advancing to 19th in the standings and Allmendinger making a leap to 8th, the team’s recent performance brings optimism as they face their first short-track points challenge of the season.
Fans can tune in to FS1 for the 312-mile race at Phoenix Raceway, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2026, where Kaulig Racing aims to build on their successes and secure another strong finish.
Allmendinger and Dillon Share Insights on Phoenix Prospects
AJ Allmendinger acknowledges that Phoenix Raceway presents unique difficulties for his team, reflecting on their struggles at the track across both the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the Cup Series. He remains focused on realistic expectations while pursuing improvement and aiming for a strong performance for key sponsor Campers Inn RV.
“Phoenix is a racetrack that for whatever reason, whether racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly NASCAR Xfinity Series) or the NASCAR Cup Series, it’s just a racetrack that as a company we have struggled at in the past. You know, I think it’s about going there and trying to have realistic expectations. We are just trying to be better and have speed. We do want to have a solid improvement from where we have typically been there and put on a good showing for Campers Inn RV.”
– AJ Allmendinger, Driver
Allmendinger emphasizes the importance of resilience and focusing on incremental growth, regardless of the hurdles ahead at Phoenix.
“We know we are going to face some challenges, but it’s how we handle them and stay positive that matters most. Over the next few weeks, we’ll really get to see where we stand as a race team with our cars. Our focus is making the most of every weekend and that’s unloading with speed, improving through practice/qualifying and getting better when it counts in the race.”
– AJ Allmendinger, Driver
On the physical demands of recent competition, Allmendinger notes he is recovering well following medical attention after the heat at COTA, highlighting the importance of both physical and mental endurance in this grueling racing season.
“I feel okay. I was just a little sore earlier in the week, but otherwise, really, I feel pretty good now. All things considered, we got a solid top-10 out of the day at COTA, some stage points, and gained spots in the points standings.”
– AJ Allmendinger, Driver
Dillon Brings Confidence and Experience to Phoenix
Ty Dillon approaches Phoenix Raceway with a sense of familiarity and optimism, having raced extensively at the venue in the K&N West and East Series, as well as throughout his NASCAR Cup Series career. He believes past experiences provide critical insights as the team returns to a track where last year’s race showed promise before mechanical issues intervened.
“I think Phoenix might be one of the tracks that I’ve probably raced at the most on the NASCAR circuit. I ran many races there in the K&N West and East Series. It’s a place I really enjoy and love racing at. I’ve raced at the old surface, the new surface, the front stretch, and the back stretch and when the back stretch was the front stretch. But it’s a place that I always have confidence going to. We didn’t end on a great note there last year, but right before we blew a tire, our car was getting really fast and competitive. And last year, we had a real chance to win in the spring. So, we’re going to go back there full of confidence, and that’s a place that I always kind of look forward to.”
– Ty Dillon, Driver
Innovation and Data Shape Racing Strategies
As Kaulig Racing and its competitors gear up for Phoenix, the role of engineering and Artificial Intelligence is increasingly pronounced within the team’s preparations. Ty Dillon highlights the sport’s shift toward data-driven decision-making and the growing integration of AI in analyzing performance, optimizing setups, and enhancing team efficiency.
“AI is certainly something that’s growing in our sport. We’re finding new avenues to use it. Engineering is so massive, crunching numbers constantly, simulation and all that stuff, and using AI tools to just eliminate time and processes, and having to have one of our engineers do three days of work and get it done in a couple of minutes. Especially in this sport where things are moving and developing so fast, time elimination creates money and speed for us. AI is going to be a force in our sport, and it’s coming at us quickly.”
– Ty Dillon, Driver
Phoenix as a Turning Point for Kaulig Racing
This weekend’s event at Phoenix Raceway presents a vital opportunity for Kaulig Racing to assess its progress, push past previous struggles at the track, and position itself among leading NASCAR Cup Series teams. The performances of AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon, guided by determination and advanced technology, will be closely watched by fans, industry insiders, and sponsor organizations alike. A strong result at Phoenix could serve as a springboard for the team’s ambitions throughout the rest of the 2026 season, with ongoing integration of new strategies and technologies likely to play an important role in shaping future outcomes.
