AJ Allmendinger returns to full-time Cup competition with Kaulig in 2025

Written by Sean McKean

Credit - James Gilbert / Getty Images

On August 15th, Kaulig Racing officially announced that AJ Allmendinger would be returning to the Cup Series full-time in 2025.

Allmendinger is currently full-time in the #16 car in the Xfinity Series , where he sits sixth in the standings with ten top tens. He has done two previous full-time campaigns in the championship - alongside a few partial campaigns - having amassed 17 wins.

In the Cup Series, he has completed nine full-time seasons since 2009 with teams such as Team Penske, Richard Petty Motorsports, and Kaulig. His highlights include three wins: 2014 Watkins Glen, 2021 Indianapolis road course, and 2023 Charlotte Roval.

Allmendinger is also racing on a part-time basis this year, having finished a best of sixth in Daytona, Circuit of the Americas, and Sonoma.

He is expected to take over the #16 car, one that has been split this year between him, Derek Kraus, Josh Williams, and Shane van Gisbergen. He will be partnered by the driver of the #31 car, who has yet to be confirmed for 2025.