AJ Allmendinger's wife explains why Roger Penske sent a 'special gift' to her Kaulig Racing driver husband

Team Penske has joined the holiday celebration before Christmas, sending gift packages to their drivers, including AJ Allmendinger, keeping the spirit of giving alive. The Kaulig Racing driver's wife, Tara Allmendinger, recently shared a short clip on her Instagram account sharing why Team Penske sent the gift to Allmendinger despite driving for Kaulig Racing.

Allmendinger debuted in the full-time NASCAR Cup Series in 2007. He raced under the Red Bull Racing team and piloted the #84 Toyota Camry. He then joined Michael Waltrip Racing and Gillett Evernham Motorsports in the 2008 season. The Kaulig Racing driver joined Richard Petty's co-owned Richard Petty Motorsports for the 2009 season before joining Team Penske in 2012.

However, things were not as smooth for him as one would expect. AJ Allmendinger joined Team Penske and drove the #22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge car. He secured a best finish at Martinsville Speedway, finishing as the runner-up. Later, in the season, Allmendinger was suspended before the Coke Zero 400 after failing a random drug test on July 7, 2012.

Two days later, the 42-year-old driver requested test B on July 9, 2024, and days later the governing body revealed the second test also came back positive. Allmendinger was suspended from racing for the rest of the season and was sent to the Road to Recovery program. He rejoined Roger Penske's team at the Road America Road Course in 2013 and won the Johnsonville Sausage 200 on June 22, 2013.

Recalling the moment, Team Penske sends AJ Allmendinger and his wife popcorn each year before Christmas. His wife revealed that if you're a former driver for the team, you receive the gift each year.

Team Penske sent gift to the former driver for Christmas (Source: @mrs.allmendinger via Instagram)

The #16 Chevy driver is inducted to Hall of Fame induction for the 2024 season.

---

AJ Allmendinger's wife, Tara, shared a heartfelt congratulatory message for her husband amid Hall of Fame induction

Kaulig Racing driver AJ Allmendinger was named one of the seven inductees of the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame for the 2024 season. His wife, Tara Allmendinger, was overjoyed after hearing the news and shared a heartfelt message for her husband on her Instagram.

The professional stock car racing driver has been a part of some of the prestigious teams in his 17-year career in the Cup Series. He began racing under the Red Bull Racing team and then went on to race for teams like Team Penske, Richard Petty Motorsports, and JTG Daughtery Racing.

The Kaulig Racing driver drove the #16 car full-time in the 2024 season and made a few appearances in the Cup Series. He has scored three wins, followed by 80 top-ten finishes and four pole positions in 446 starts in the Cup Series. On the other hand, in the Xfinity Series, the #16 driver bagged 18 wins and 86 top-ten finishes, clinching 11 pole positions in 131 starts.

Reflecting upon her husband's success Tara Allmendinger shared:

“Congratulations to AJ on his induction to the West Coast Motorsports Hall of Fame 2025 class. His induction will take place mid March in Las Vegas. 👏🌟"

The American driver AJ Allmendinger is all set to return to the Cup Series as a full-time driver under Kaulig Racing, driving the #16 car.