TC Daily Pit Stop: Allmendinger Back to Xfinity Full-Time in 2024; Tony Stewart Driving in Place of Leah Pruett in 2024; Alfredo Back to Our; Ankrum to McAnally; Faction46 to Debut in Trucks
TC Daily Pit Stop: Friday, December 8th, 2023
AJ Allmendinger Returns to Kaulig Racing Xfinity Program Full-Time in 2024
After much speculation, AJ Allmendinger will officially be heading back to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full-time in 2024. Kaulig Racing made the announcement on Thursday, and Allmendinger will reprise his role from a few years ago as the driver of the No. 16 entry in the NXS ranks.
Allmendinger will also run part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for the team in 2024, as well.
“My plans for 2024 have always been whatever Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice think is best for the team,” said AJ Allmendinger. “We’ve got work to do on both our Xfinity and Cup side as we continue to grow but I think we are putting ourselves in the best position to keep improving. With Josh Williams coming on board, it’ll be fun to learn each other’s driving styles and work together as teammates on Saturdays. I’m excited to be a part everything we’re working on at Kaulig Racing and see what we can get done next season.”
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Tony Stewart Going Full-Time Top Fuel Racing in NHRA as Leah Pruett Steps Aside to Start Family
As Leah Pruett and Tony Stewart aim to start a family, Pruett will step aside from her driving duties at Tony Stewart Racing in the NHRA Top Fuel division in 2024. Stewart, her husband, will take over driving duties until Pruett is able to return.
Pruett finished a career-best third in the NHRA Top Fuel point standings in 2023.
“Drag racing has been an important part of my life for over three quarters of my life,” Pruett said in a team press release. “27 years of racing in the NHRA has molded who I am and I am extremely grateful for the life it has given me. Through a long series of thought processes and a decision that did not happen overnight, I feel that stepping out of the seat right now is what’s best for myself and Tony to start a family.”
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Anthony Alfredo to Pilot No. 5 Entry for Our Motorsports in 2024
Fast Pasta, Anthony Alfredo, has made his move for the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, and it’s a familiar one. Alfredo will pilot the newly renumbered No. 5 entry for Our Motorsports in 2024. This move rejoins Alfredo with the team that he drove for during the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
“I am thrilled about the opportunity to return to Our Motorsports and drive the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro,” Alfredo said in a team press release. “Chris, Mary, Vic, and their families have been working hard to build a competitive program. We all have the will to win, and I believe in the team of people we are putting together.”
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Tyler Ankrum Joins McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in No. 18 Truck for 2024
Tyler Ankrum, who spent the last couple of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series seasons with Hattori Racing Enterprises, will move to McAnally Hilgemann Racing for the 2024 season.
Ankrum will pilot the newly renumbered No. 18 Chevrolet Silverado RST (formerly the No. 35 truck), and he’ll carry sponsorship from his longtime partner LiUNA! in 21 of the 23 races in 2024.
“Joining MHR for 2024 is an exciting next step for me and a great opportunity,” Ankrum said. “Both teams showed a ton of speed and versatility in 2023, and the results were there to show for it. I’m looking forward to working with Mark (Hillman) and his team and looking forward to being teammates with Christian (Eckes), Jack (Wood), and Daniel (Dye). I want to get back to the playoffs and I know the potential is there at MHR to accomplish that next year.”
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Faction46 Team Debuting in NASCAR Truck Series in 2024
There will be a brand new NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team that will join the fray in 2024, as Faction46 was announced on Thursday. In a snippet of his interview with Eric Estepp, team co-owner Lane Moore announced the new team, which will field the No. 46 Chevrolet Silverado in 2024.
The team will also have an alliance with Niece Motorsports. No driver was announced for the truck just yet, but Moore says, “People will be surprised, but it’ll be just a little bit later this week.”