2024 was a season of challenges a bit for Xfinity powerhouse team Kaulig Racing in the Cup Series. While Daniel Hemric ran a full Cup schedule in the #31 Chevrolet, a host of drivers split time between the trophy hunting #16 team and a part-time #13 team in select races.
Daniel Hemric / #31 CIRKUL Chevrolet
2024 Crew Chief: Trent Owens
2024 Season Grade: C-
Starts Wins Top 5 Top 10 Poles Rank
36 0 0 4 0 29
Daniel Hemric returned to full-time Cup Series since 2019 this past season after spending time in the Xfinity Series for Kaulig Racing. Having only run nine Cup races in 2023, the NextGen car proved to be a challenge for Hemric in 2024’s full-time effort.
The season started started somewhat solid for Hemric and his #31 Chevrolet, finishing in the bottom part of the top twenty in the first three weeks. The next six races would prove challenging for the team, as the various types of tracks would result in many mid-pack finishes. Talladega and Dover would produce a pair of ninth-place finishes, while Hemric would return to mid-pack finishes until Nashville (9th place). The remainder of the season saw Hemric’s results bounce between mid to back of the pack results, with only one more 9th place in Daytona.
Inconsistency was the calling card of Hemric’s 2024 Cup Series season. While the team was bitten with some bad luck throughout the season, there is the highlight of four 9th place finishes. Hemric would end the season 29th in the standings, with an average finish of 23rd and only three DNFs.
2025 Outlook:Â With Hemric leaving the team for the Truck Series with Bill McAnally in 2025, a new driver was needed. Ty Dillon will be taking over the wheel of the renumbered #10 Chevrolet, while former Richard Childress Racing engineer Andrew Dickeson will be taking over as crew chief.
With Dillon starting five of his seven 2024 Cup starts in Kaulig’s #16 entry, there is already some familiarity with the team. Oval tracks seemed to be something of a strong point with finishes of 16th and 19th. While considerable improvement is needed across the board, Dillon could be a solid Top 20 driver in his full-time return.
Various Drivers / #16 Chevrolet
2024 Crew Chief(s):Â Travis Mack, Andrew Dickeson
2024 Season Grade: C
Kaulig Racing’s #16 entry returned for a full-time effort in 2024, but this time running a rotating mix of drivers during the season. The full schedule was filled out by a mix of veteran A.J. Allmendinger, Shane van Gisbergen, Derek Kraus, Ty Dillon, and Josh Williams.
While the bid for a trophy during the season did not materialize, there were some highlights. Allmendinger was the best performing of the group, scoring several almost wins and top ten finishes. Newcomer Shane van Gisbergen also saw time towards the front of the field, including a second in Watkins Glen and 12th in Martinsville.
Cup Series newcomers Josh Williams and Derek Kraus made a combined eight starts on mostly ovals, with a best of 25th in the series finale in Phoenix by Kraus. Journeyman Ty Dillon rounded out the schedule, making five starts.
2025 Outlook:Â A.J. Allmendinger will move back up to the Cup Series for 2025 as the solo driver of the #16 entry. Former #31 crew chief Trent Owens will move to the 16 team, putting a successful combination back together. While the jury is out on how the team will perform with a solo focus for 2025, Allmendinger can be expected to be a threat on road courses and the superspeedways.
If things can align, an initial playoff spot in 2025 cannot be ruled out, but the team will need to stay consistent in order to achieve success.
A.J. Allmendinger & Shane van Gisbergen / #13 Chevrolet (part-time)
2024 Crew Chief(s):Â Eddie Pardue, Andrew Dickeson
2024 Season Grade: C
Allmendinger and SVG also made a combined five starts in Kaulig’s third #13 Chevrolet, attempting to increase the chances of collecting a trophy in 2024. While like the #16 team, a win did not materialize….the 13 performed decently in a tough Cup environment.
Allmendinger ran four races, finishing 6th at Circuit of the Americas. The remaining races resulted in some bad luck, with DNFs in Chicago and Watkins Glen and 28th in Talladega. Newcomer SVG ran the #13 on the Charlotte ROVAL, scoring the pole and coming home 7th.
2025 Outlook:Â No plans have been announced for the third team for 2025. With Ty Dillon, Allmendinger, and SVG (with Trackhouse) all running full Cup schedules already, it is possible this team will not see any starts.