Will Kaulig Racing have 2 full-time NASCAR Cup Series drivers in 2022?

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    As many of us know, Kaulig racing will be fielding a full-time NASCAR Cup Series team in 2022. One driver has been confirmed to run full-time next season, while a part-time schedule has been released for AJ Allmendinger, who drives for them full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. While this may seen like plenty for team owner Matt Kaulig, rumor has it that the team may field two full-time NASCAR Cup Series teams instead of only one. How does that rumor stand up to the information we know? Let's take a look.

To begin with,  Kaulig Racing, which is prominently known for it's NASCAR Xfinity Series efforts announced that they purchased 2 charters from Spire Motorsports several months ago in June (2021). What the team's purchase of these charters meant is that when applied, a race team is essentially locked into any NASCAR Cup Series race that they chose to attempt. In addition, teams with a charter have first choice on vital race parts. It was said that Kaulig Racing, had bought their 2 charters for over $10 million a piece. If the market continues to drive upwards, this hefty investment may have a significant return in the future.

Justin Haley, who has driven for Kaulig's Xfinity operation and has a decent amount of NASCAR Cup Series experience, has been selected to drive full-time in the Cup Series for the organization in 2022. AJ Allmendinger was also announced to race a part-time schedule in the Cup Series with the team. Considering the team has two charters (which are scarce), many have been left to wonder whether or not the Kaulig Racing will use the charter on a non-essential part-time effort, especially after proving that they can qualify and win without a charter (when they did so at the Indianapolis road Course in 2021). The fact of the matter is that they very well could use that second charter to ensure another full-time team, maybe even another of their own.

In a video created by Team President Chris Rice,  teased that he had gotten "the check", and to stay tuned for some news. 

🚨BIG NEWS… I finally got the ☑️!!! pic.twitter.com/JumSD5BD9C

— Chris Rice (@C_Rice1) November 16, 2021

In the video, behind Chris Rice stood in front of a NASCAR Cup Series fire-suit which around the waist almost certainly had the name "Kaz Grala" embroidered on it (name ending in "ala", not associated with any NASCAR driver but Kaz Grala). Kaulig has already fielded part-time NASCAR Cup Series rides for Kaz Grala, could they be hooking him up with a full time opportunity in 2022? Let's look at Grala's career stats:

Grala made three starts for Kaulig Racing's part-time Cup Series effort during the 2021 season, and if you can look past the two races he did not finish (not due to driver error), we see a 6th place finish at Talladega. He also made a single start in 2020, replacing Austin Dillon who had to sit out for the Daytona Road Course race due to COVID-19 protocol. With no qualifying or practice, Grala finished 7th in his first Cup Series start. That is an amazing feat.

Never having a full-time Xfinity Series opportunity, and only one complete Truck Series Season under his belt, it very well could be possible that Kaulig Racing plans place him in the No. 10 Chevrolet Camaro for a full-time Xfinity Series season. That ride is wide open at the moment, and still and a driver is still yet to be announced. Though the No. 10 ride is very much available, the details of Kaulig Racing's NASCAR Cup Series ventures have been suspiciously quiet. Kaz Grala could be the reason that the team has withheld certain details.

Aside from this suspected opportunity for Kaz Grala, there have not been any other rumors pertaining to a second full-time ride fo Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. It would be a large task, but Kaulig Racing appears very much prepared to dive into competition head first. We expect to hear a definitive answer from Kaulig Racing in the near future.

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