AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon will return to Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027.
The organization made the official announcement on Friday afternoon at Homestead-Miami Speedway, just four days after confirmation that Dodge will be returning to NASCAR’s top-level with Kaulig Racing, fielding two full-time entries.
“Bringing Dodge back to the NASCAR Cup Series is a massive responsibility and one we don’t take lightly,” said Kaulig Racing CEO Chris Rice. “We knew we needed to put proven veterans behind the wheel to build this program, and no one knows Kaulig Racing better than AJ and Ty. We are introducing a lot of new parts, pieces, and variables into our program, so being able to keep some consistency behind the wheel was important for our inaugural season with Dodge. I look at 2027 like we are pouring the foundation for our future.”
Dillon will continue to drive the No. 10, while Allmendinger pilots the No. 16.
“We just celebrated the 10th anniversary of Kaulig Racing, and I have never been more confident and excited about our future,” said Matt Kaulig, founder and owner of Kaulig Racing. “This is a landmark moment for our organization, our partners, and the Dodge brand. From our humble beginnings to being named the anchor team for the fifth-largest automaker in the world is an incredible honor and a challenge our team is ready to face.”
Dodge will unveil the official model and look of its brand-new NASCAR Cup Series vehicle on Friday, December 4 in Pensacola, Florida at the Snowball Derby.
AJ Allmendinger has been with Kaulig Racing since 2019, competing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the NASCAR Cup Series, winning races in both divisions. The Los Gatos, California-native has won 16 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and two NASCAR Cup Series wins with Kaulig.
“Kaulig Racing has been my home for years, and the belief Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice have placed in me means everything,” Allmendinger said. “To be chosen to help bring Dodge back to the NASCAR Cup Series is special for me. I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to drive a lot of different race cars, but being on the front lines of building a new OEM program with a brand as iconic as Dodge is a unique challenge. We’re building something special here, and I can’t wait to get to work in 2027.”
Ty Dillon has been with Kaulig Racing since 2024 — running part-time in 2024, and full-time in 2025 and 2026. Dillon has 316 NASCAR Cup Series starts, with two top-fives and eight top-10s.
“Opportunities like this don’t come around often in a driver’s career,” Dillon said. “To extend my time with Kaulig Racing and be part of Dodge’s return to the Cup Series is a dream scenario. Matt and Chris have built a world-class culture here, and the commitment everyone is putting into this transition is unmatched. Dodge has a rich winning history in stock car racing, and our entire organization is focused on honoring that heritage when we hit the track in 2027.”
