HOMESTEAD, Fla. — The next phase in Dodge’s multi-stage re-entry into the NASCAR Cup Series now has two driver names atop the driver’s side doors.
Kaulig Racing officials said Friday that AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon will return to the organization next year, announcing the personnel move during NASCAR Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The news, coming on the heels of Monday’s splash that Dodge will be back in NASCAR’s top division, confirms the first two drivers for the manufacturer in 2027.
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Allmendinger will be back for his seventh Cup season at Kaulig and Dillon will return for his third straight under the team’s banner. Next season, though, Allmendinger’s No. 16 and Dillon’s No. 10 rides will switch from Chevrolet Camaros to Dodge Charger branding.
Other announcements are forthcoming, including details of an engine configuration and a reveal of the new body style. The latter is scheduled Dec. 4 during the Snowball Derby for Late Model cars in Pensacola, Florida.
Parent company Stellantis came back to the Craftsman Truck Series this season with the Ram marque, with Tim Kuniskis, Stellantis’ head of American brands, hinting that the Cup Series was part of the automotive group’s plans. Kaulig Racing launched a Truck Series operation with a five-Ram effort to lead that manufacturer’s return, but the ambition has yet to produce a top-five finish this season.
Both Allmendinger and Dillon took turns competing in Kaulig’s No. 25 Ram this year as part of the Free Agent Driver Program, a rotating cast of notable guest drivers. On the Cup Series side, Allmendinger ranks 25th in the standings with Dillon 34th. Allmendinger has posted the team’s lone top five this year, a fifth at Naval Base Coronado near San Diego.
This story will be updated.