Kaulig Racing announced on Tuesday Morning that the team’s current part-time resident A.J. Allmendinger would be upgrading his schedule for the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, transitioning to full-time competition piloting the No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro.
?? 2021 NEWS ?? @C_Rice1 | @MattKaulig | @AJDinger pic.twitter.com/jkVPL3GsoW
— Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) December 1, 2020
“As a part-time driver for Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series, I have really enjoyed working with all the women and men in the organization these last two years,” said Allmendinger. “The love of showing up to NASCAR races has returned for me, and I truly have enjoyed myself on and off the racetrack. It starts with Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice.”
“I can’t thank them enough for giving me a call at the start of 2019 and offering me some races that continued into 2020. More than anything, I have really loved being part of the team and watching the growth of the organization, and because of that, the opportunity to come back full-time in 2021 was something I just could not pass up.”
2021 will mark the first full-season for Allmendinger since his 13-season tenure in the NASCAR Cup Series, most recently piloting the No. 47 for JTG Daugherty Racing. Since then, the 38-year-old has contested 15 races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Kaulig Racing, scoring three wins, eight top-fives and 10 top-10s over the last two seasons.
“Having AJ race full-time for Kaulig Racing will only elevate our program to another level,” said Chris Rice, president of Kaulig Racing. “I truly believe his veteran experience has helped us in every race he has ever run with us, and that is evident in his finishes. I’m sure he will complement our other two great drivers we already have, as he’s been a great teammate since day one. I love the challenge in front of us to go after the championship in 2021 with all three of our drivers.”
2021 will be the first time the organization will field three full-time entries in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with Allmendinger joining Justin Haley and Jeb Burton as the team’s full-time competitors for next season.
Sponsorship for Almendinger’s No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro will be announced at a later date.