TC Daily Pit Stop: Allmendinger Driving Kaulig No. 16 in Daytona 500; Alfredo Attempting Two Cup Races with Beard; D'Hondt Joins SHR; Deegan, Kaulig Racing Name Xfinity Crew Chiefs; and More!
TC Daily Pit Stop: Allmendinger Driving Kaulig No. 16 in Daytona 500; Alfredo Attempting Two Cup Races with Beard; D'Hondt Joins SHR; Deegan, Kaulig Racing Name Xfinity Crew Chiefs; and More!
TC Daily Pit Stop: Thursday, December 21st, 2023
AJ Allmendinger to Run No. 16 Kaulig Entry in 2024 Daytona 500
AJ Allmendinger is set to make the move back into the NASCAR Xfinity Series on a full-time basis in 2024 with Kaulig Racing, but that doesn’t mean the long-time veteran is never-to-be-seen again at NASCAR’s top-level.
On Wednesday, Kaulig Racing announced that Allmendinger would get behind the wheel of the No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro in the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in February.
The team’s second full-time entry is expected to be shared among multiple drivers throughout the 2024 season, as made obvious by the inability for the Los Gatos, California-native to contest both schedules full-time.
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Anthony Alfredo to Attempt Daytona 500, Talladega With Beard Motorsports
Beard Motorsports is returning to its traditional four-race schedule in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024, with a pair of starts planned at both Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.
The team has selected Anthony Alfredo to pilot the No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro in the 2024 Daytona 500 to start the campaign, as well as the April event at Talladega Superspeedway.
Attempting the Daytona 500 will mark Alfredo’s first start at NASCAR’s top-level since a two-race stint with Live Fast Motorsports in 2023, and previous to that a full-season at NASCAR’s top-level for Front Row Motorsports in 2021.
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Eddie D’Hondt Spotting for Josh Berry in 2024; Stewart-Haas Announces Spotter Lineup
Eddie D’Hondt, a long-time spotter for Chase Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports, has a new assignment for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series campaign, joining Stewart-Haas Racing to spot for Josh Berry and the No. 4 Ford Mustang.
The veteran spotter will be paired with the rookie driver, after he replaces the now-retired Kevin Harvick behind the wheel of the Rodney Childers-led entry at NASCAR’s top-level.
Andy Houston will spot for Noah Gragson and the No. 10, as previously announced, while Joe Campbell is set to return as spotter for Chase Briscoe in the No. 14. Tony Raines will join Stewart-Haas Racing to spot for Ryan Preece in 2024.
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Kevin Harvick’s No. 29 North Wilkesboro Throwback Named Best-Selling Diecast of 2023
Were you expecting Chase Elliott to be at the top of the Lionel Racing list of the top-10 best-selling diecast of 2023? If so, the newly-retired Kevin Harvick would like to have a word with you.
Lionel released its official best-sellers list on Tuesday, which was topped by the No. 29 Busch Light Ford Mustang, a tribute scheme that Kevin Harvick carried in his final NASCAR All-Star Race at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Lionel Racing – Top-10 Best-Selling Diecast of 2023:
Kevin Harvick – #29 Busch Light Ford Mustang (North Wilkesboro)
Erik Jones – #43 Guns N’ Roses Chevrolet Camaro (Daytona 500)
Kyle Busch – #8 Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro (Auto Club – Race Win)
Ryan Blaney – #12 Menards / Dutch Boy Ford Mustang
Dale Earnhardt – #3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1998 Daytona 500)
NASCAR – 75th Anniversary Chevrolet Camaro
Shane Van Gisbergen – #91 Embrace Health Chevrolet Camaro (Chicago)
Chase Elliott – #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. – #88 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Late Model
Kevin Harvick – #4 Budweiser Ford Mustang (Homestead)
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Kaulig Racing Solidifies 2024 Xfinity Series Crew Chief Lineup
Kaulig Racing has finalized its driver-crew chief pairings for the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign, which includes a brand-new face to the organization, as well as two returning veterans.
Kevin Walter, a former engineer for JR Motorsports, will be partnered with Josh Williams on the No. 11 Chevrolet Camaro for 2024. Alex Yontz will remain with the organization as crew chief for AJ Allmendinger and the No. 16 Chevrolet.
Finally, Bruce Schlicker will be paired with Shane van Gisbergen, in an attempt to ease the transition between a full-season slate in Supercars, to a full-time effort in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Jason Trinchere, who worked with the team in 2023, has not been announced to a role, as of yet, or confirmed to be bumped from the organization.
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Joe Williams Returning to AM Racing; Will Crew Chief Hailie Deegan in 2024
Joe Williams, Jr. will maintain his position with AM Racing for the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign, the organization announced on Tuesday. Williams, an industry veteran, will be partnered with Hailie Deegan as crew chief of the No. 15 Ford Mustang.
The driver-crew chief pairing will begin their working relationship in the season-opening United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway, as Deegan begins her first full season competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Williams first joined AM Racing during the 2022 off-season, as he began the process of building the family-owned team from the ground up, and into a competitive outfit beginning in 2023 with Brett Moffitt.
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Lucas Oil Expands Relationship with Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing for 2024
Lucas Oil Products, a long-standing partner of both Richard Childress Racing and ECR Engines, will expand its relationship with the organization ahead of the 2024 NASCAR season, the companies announced on Tuesday.
The company, based out of Indianapolis, Indiana, will serve as a multi-race primary sponsor of Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Additionally, Kyle Busch, a two-time champion of the NASCAR Cup Series, will have Lucas Oil colors adorning his entry when competing in the Micro Sprint car series, beginning with the Tulsa Shootout on December 26. Kyle’s son, Brexton, will also have Lucas Oil as part of his racing program in 2024.