NASCAR Cup Series team Kaulig Racing plans to run a partial NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2021 with eyes on eventually competing in the Cup Series full-time. The 2021 schedule is expected to include the 2021 Daytona 500, other superspeedway races and road-course events.
“Kaulig Racing is always building toward the future and I believe this is the next step in that process,” Kaulig Racing owner Matt Kaulig said, as quoted in a NASCAR.com article. “We have the ultimate goal of becoming a powerhouse team in the Cup Series, and we are excited to continue our team’s growth.”
A specific driver lineup and schedule remain up in the air, dependent on yet-to-be-established sponsorship deals.
Kaulig Racing made its Cup Series debut in the 2020 Daytona 500, the only series race it contested last season, with Justin Haley, one of its full-time Xfinity Series drivers, behind the wheel. Haley finished 13th.
Kaulig Racing has competed in the Xfinity Series since 2016. Haley and Ross Chastain were full-time drivers for the team last season, and both drivers made the playoffs. Haley made the championship four and finished the 2020 season third in the driver standings. Former Cup Series driver A.J. Allmendinger drove for Kaulig part-time in the Xfinity Series last season. Haley and Allmendinger combined to give Kaulig Racing five wins last season.
“From where we started in a go-kart shop to a now championship-contending team, I have seen the growth of Kaulig Racing first-hand over the last five years,” Kaulig Racing President Chris Rice said. “It has been a privilege to be able to have Matt Kaulig’s trust in establishing ourselves as a competitive team in one of NASCAR’s top series, and I am confident we are ready to take that next step as an organization.”
In all, Kaulig Racing has seven wins in 226 starts.
