UPDATE: Talking on SiriusXM NASCAR Friday, A.J. Allmendinger says Kaulig is trying to strengthened the organization and he will still be with the team next year.
“At the end of the day, I will probably do whatever they want me to do. There’s a good chance I’m back in the No. 16 Cup car next year, but there’s also a chance I could be back in Xfinity too. It’s whatever they think is best for the organizations overall.”
Asked by Dave Moody which series he wanted to be competing in, Allmendinger said, “At the end of the day, I don’t really have a preference.”
.@AJDinger's name has been in the rumor mill lately, but what are his plans for 2024? 🤔
đź’ "There's a good chance I'm back in the No. 16 Cup car next year, but there's also a chance I could be back in Xfinity too."
More from the @KauligRacing driver ➡️ https://t.co/qesEcbI9Hq pic.twitter.com/jKDsQxCmwA
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) September 2, 2023
ORIGINAL POST 8-31-2023: Speaking on PRN’s The O’Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters¸ Catchfence.com’s Lee Spencer reports that both seats at Kaulig Racing could be available next year.
Justin Haley has already announced that he will leave the team to move to Rick Ware Racing next season.
Spencer says that before Haley announced his exit, there were rumors of Austin Hill replacing A.J. Allmendinger, with Allmendinger returning to the Xfinity Series for Kaulig.
Haley’s exit made Hill the favorite to take over the No. 31. However, Kaulig could now be looking for a driver with sponsorship to replace Allmendinger, with “whispers in the garage” mentioning Daniel Hemric or Ty Dillon as possibilities. Hemric currently drives for Kaulig in Xfinity. Dillon’s contract with Spire is up at the end of the season and most rumors have him not returning there.