Details continue to be filled in about Dodge’s return to the NASCAR Cup Series, which will happen in 2027. In a press conference at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Friday, Kaulig Racing revealed that AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon will return as the organization’s full-time drivers as the team transitions to Dodge next season.
Allmendinger will continue to pilot the No. 16 entry, while Dillon will remain in the No. 10. Chris Rice, the team’s CEO, did admit that Kaulig Racing plans to field a part-time third entry next season and hopes to field that car in the season-opening Daytona 500.
Rice denied that the team has spoken to Brad Keselowski about the third part-time Kaulig Racing entry for next season. But Rice did say the decision to bring Allmendinger and Dillon back for another season hinged on the desire to bring veteran racers into the fold in year one with Dodge.
“Bringing Dodge back to the NASCAR Cup Series is a massive responsibility and one we don’t take lightly,” said Rice. “We knew we needed to put proven veterans behind the wheel to build this program, and no one knows Kaulig Racing better than AJ and Ty. We are introducing a lot of new parts, pieces, and variables into our program, so being able to keep some consistency behind the wheel was important for our inaugural season with Dodge. I look at 2027 like we are pouring the foundation for our future.”
Allmendinger, who has amassed three NASCAR Cup Series wins over his career, is proud to continue with Kaulig Racing, a team that has shared a strong belief in the 44-year-old driver.
“Kaulig Racing has been my home for years, and the belief Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice have placed in me means everything,” Allmendinger said. “To be chosen to help bring Dodge back to the NASCAR Cup Series is special for me. I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to drive a lot of different race cars, but being on the front lines of building a new OEM program with a brand as iconic as Dodge is a unique challenge. We’re building something special here, and I can’t wait to get to work in 2027.”
Dillon, 34, says the opportunity ahead of him isn’t one that a lot of drivers get in their career.
“Opportunities like this don’t come around often in a driver’s career,” Dillon said. “To extend my time with Kaulig Racing and be part of Dodge’s return to the Cup Series is a dream scenario. Matt and Chris have built a world-class culture here, and the commitment everyone is putting into this transition is unmatched. Dodge has a rich winning history in stock car racing, and our entire organization is focused on honoring that heritage when we hit the track in 2027.”
Dodge is set to unveil the race car that it will utilize in the NASCAR Cup Series at the 59th annual Snowball Derby on December 4.
