NASCAR star AJ Allmendinger earns prestigious Hall of Fame recognition

Kaulig Racing driver AJ Allmendinger is set to be inducted into the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2025.

The driver of the No. 16 Chevrolet ZL1 made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2007 and since then has accumulated three wins, 80 top-10 finishes, and four pole positions. Among his other achievements are the Xfinity Series Regular Season championship title in 2021 and 2022, winning the 2012 Rolex 24 at Daytona, and taking the victory at the 2023 Bank of America Roval 400.

Allmendinger will join other motorsport legends in the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame such as Rick Mears, Jeff Gordon, Hershel McGriff, Dan Gurney, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, and Kurt Busch.

The Californian explained in a press release that the news has not quite sunk in yet.

“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet. It’s unique to be in a situation receiving this honour, knowing I still have the opportunity to go out every weekend with Kaulig Racing and continue to build on my career and what we have accomplished together. It’s special to share this accomplishment with my wife, Tara, and our son, Aero James. I love having Aero at the racetrack, and I know having him be as a part of this will make it emotional and a lasting memory.”

Matt Kaulig, who started Kaulig Racing in 2016, also commented on Allmendinger's acknowledgement:

“I think everybody will agree that AJ has really made Kaulig Racing to be what it is today. It changed our lives when we brought AJ into the fold on a part-time basis and really started running up front and winning races.

AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: Chris Graythen - Getty Images

“To be a professional race car driver, you have to be competitive. AJ is probably the most competitive person that I have ever met. On the racetrack, he can handle the pressure he puts on himself to perform at the highest level of our sport every week, and he does it for all the men and women involved in every aspect of our race team.”

Team president Chris Rice continued the praise of Allmendinger, stating:

“When you have talent like AJ has, that shows the sky is the limit. Kaulig Racing won our first Cup race in only our seventh Cup start. We’ve won a lot of races over the past five years because AJ pushes us to be better. AJ taught us how to win and we will forever be indebted to him for that. And he is not done. He has a lot left in the tank and AJ and Kaulig Racing will continue to do great things together.”

After its inception in 2016, Kaulig Racing made its NASCAR Xfinity Series debut the same year in Daytona before making its way into the Cup Series in 2020.