Kaulig Racing has promoted Chris Rice from Team President to Chief Executive Officer.
Rice, who has been with the organization since its inception in 2016, has overseen the growth of Kaulig Racing from a single-vehicle entity in the NASCAR Xfinity Series to a powerhouse organization that fields multiple entries in the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series, and beginning next season, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
“Chris Rice is the real deal,” said Matt Kaulig, Founder and Owner of Kaulig Racing. “From his early days on pit road to President and now CEO of Kaulig Racing, his journey reflects the hard work, dedication, and passion that define this sport. Chris was with me from the very beginning, helping build Kaulig Racing from the ground up, and his leadership has been instrumental in shaping the culture and success of our team. I’m proud to call him a partner, a leader, and a friend.”
From his early days atop the pit box, Rice has been in the sport of NASCAR for several decades, working for organizations such as Bill Davis Racing, RAB Racing, Jay Robinson Racing, ML Motorsports, and NTS Motorsports. His roles as crew chief led him into being a Competition Director for the now-defunct RAB Racing from 2011 to 2015.
One of the most notable accomplishments for Rice during his decade-long tenure at Kaulig Racing has been his part in securing a landmark manufacturer agreement with RAM for 2026 and beyond, a move that has allowed to team to jump into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with a five-truck program next season.
“I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for Matt’s trust in me,” said Rice. “From day one, our goal has been to create something special here at Kaulig Racing, not just wins on the track, but a culture where people love to come to work every day. With our partnership with RAM and the opportunity to continue to grow in 2026, the future has never been brighter for Kaulig Racing.”
Since the organization’s inception in 2016, Kaulig Racing has been to Victory Lane several times across NASCAR’s top two divisions, winning two races with AJ Allmendinger (Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, 2021, and Charlotte ROVAL, 2023).
The team has also been to Victory Lane a whopping 27 times in the NASCAR Xfinity Series over the years, with drivers like AJ Allmendinger, Ross Chastain, Justin Haley, Chandler Smith, Kyle Larson, and Shane Van Gisbergen.
