After Spire Motorsports officially announced on Tuesday that the team would be parting ways with Justin Haley at the conclusion of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, many began wondering if there was potentially a path for the 26-year-old driver to return to Kaulig Racing, where he enjoyed quite a bit of success prior to a move to Rick Ware Racing in 2024.
In three full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series seasons with Kaulig Racing, Haley captured four wins for the organization, and he had solid success for the team’s Cup program in two full-time seasons from 2022 to 2023, as he scored four top-five finishes, including a runner-up finish to Shane van Gisbergen in the Inaugural Chicago Street Race, and 10 top-10s.
Based on their previous success together, it’s definitely an interesting question.
While Kaulig Racing CEO Chris Rice has stated on several occasions this year that he expects the team to have the same driver lineup, A.J. Allmendinger and Ty Dillon, for its two-car NASCAR Cup Series program in 2026, the team does have a brand new five-truck program forming with RAM Trucks in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and they will remain involved, in some capacity, in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
On Wednesday, Rice dropped by SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s The Morning Drive, where he was asked about Haley’s sudden availability and whether there could be room at Kaulig Racing for a reunion. While Rice would love to make it happen, he’s just not sure if there will be room within the organization’s new five-truck program in 2026.
“You know, Justin is a part of our family, and if we can find a spot, we would love to find a spot for Justin,” Rice said, “but we’ve kind of made our bed in the Truck Series, and we know where our Truck Drivers are going to be, and who they’re going to be. We’ve got some loose ends to tie up, and if we can find a spot for Justin, we definitely will do that.”
Rice added, “We love Justin, we appreciate Justin, and what he’s done for us. Just like Blake Koch. We appreciate those guys, but sometimes you’re full.”
From the sounds of that answer, it doesn’t sound too promising that there will be room at the Kaulig Racing Inn for Haley during the 2026 NASCAR National Series season, but as we’ve always learned, you never ever say ‘never ever’ in this sport.
