Go Big or Go Home – Kaulig Racing Sweeps Daytona, First Win in Team History
Lexington, N.C. – (July 6, 2019) – In the wee hours of this morning, Kaulig Racing was writing their own page in the NASCAR history books, by crossing the finishing at Daytona International Speedway 1-2-3. Ross Chastain handed Kaulig Racing its first win in company history with a dominate effort by the No. 16 Ellsworth Advisors team – taking the first stage win and leading 49 laps en route to his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory of the season and second in his career at his hometrack on Saturday, July 6 in the Circle K Firecracker 250 after a rain-delayed start.
The event was also the first in history for Kaulig Racing to field three teams, and it was positions 1-2-3 that the Kaulig Racing Chevrolets crossed the finish line. The team's very first victory held the strong run of two stage wins and 86 of the 100 laps led between drivers AJ Allmendinger, Chastain and Justin Haley.
"I can't believe it," team owner Matt Kaulig said following the checkered flag. "We couldn't be more excited. We've been trophy hunting – that's all we've been saying all week. (We've got) three dogs in this fight, we're going to win and we got it done. I can't believe we got it done."
Haley and the No. 11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection team preserved from a mid-race penalty to comeback through the field and score a second-place finish – now the best of his NXS career. The rookie driver led four laps late in the race after remaining focused following the setback.
Allmendinger, who made his NASCAR return and first start with Kaulig Racing, followed his teammates taking the checkered flag in third in his No. 10 Cornerstone Produce Group Chevrolet. The veteran driver led 33 laps on his way to the finish. Unfortunately, due to a part failure, the No. 10 team was relegated to a 38th-place finish after being unable to successfully pass post-race inspection.
"I'm super excited for all of these Kaulig Racing guys and couldn't be more proud of their hard work. They earn this win and more importantly – this sweep! This is our fourth season, we're here and we won Daytona! How great is that?" team president Chris Rice said elated.
In the wild race, Chastain finished 0.109 seconds ahead of Haley and 0.206 seconds ahead of Allmendinger.