LEBANON, TENNESSEE - JUNE 24: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Celsius Chevrolet, drives during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 - Qualifying at Nashville Superspeedway on June 24, 2023 in Lebanon, Tennessee. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LEBANON, TENNESSEE - JUNE 24: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Celsius Chevrolet, drives during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 - Qualifying at Nashville Superspeedway on June 24, 2023 in Lebanon, Tennessee. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Could Ty Dillon or Daniel Hemric replace A.J. Allmendinger at Kaulig Racing? UPDATE

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.”

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.