NASCAR Rumors: Ty Dillon to replace Daniel Hemric at Kaulig Racing in 2025

Silly season rumors indicate that Ty Dillon is set to make a full-time return to the NASCAR Cup Series, as a replacement for Kaulig Racing driver Daniel Hemric. The team owned by Matt Kaulig has already confirmed AJ Allmendinger’s return to the Cup Series but has yet to announce the driver of the #31 Chevy.

Kaulig Racing continues to shuffle its driver lineup, having recently revamped its Cup Series lineup for the 2024 season. The #16 Chevy is driven by multiple drivers, including Allmendinger, Shane van Gisbergen, Ty Dillon, and others. Meanwhile, Hemric is behind the wheel of the #31 Chevy in a full-time role.

According to a recent report from The Athletic, Dillon is in pole position to replace Hemric, who is not signed for 2025. Dillon currently competes full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series and has made four Cup Series starts with Kaulig Racing, achieving two top-20 finishes.

After parting ways with Spire Motorsports last season, Dillon was in negotiations with Kaulig Racing for a full-time ride for the ongoing season; however, the deal fell through. He instead stepped down to the Truck Series with Rackley WAR, and drove part-time in the Cup and Xfinity Series.

Dillon's grandfather's team, Richard Childress Racing's close ties with Kaulig Racing, is also said to have facilitated the deal for 2025. Kaulig is in a technical alliance with RCR and is based on the same campus.

Hemric, meanwhile, has had a low-profile season, currently sitting 30th in the driver standings. The 33-year-old has secured four top-10 finishes in the #31 Chevy, finishing ninth in all four instances. His future with Kaulig Racing remains uncertain as the team has already announced its Xfinity lineup for 2025.

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Why did Ty Dillon step down to the NASCAR Truck Series?

Ty Dillon parted ways with Spire Motorsports after a tough stint in the #77 Chevy, finishing the previous season 32nd in the standings. Although the 32-year-old American was poised to sign with Kaulig Racing, the deal fell through, and he instead joined Rackley WAR in the Truck Series.

Dillon in the #25 Chevy (Image via Getty)

Ahead of the 2024 season, he explained that he was seeking race wins and championships with his move to the Trucks.

"It’s been awhile since I’ve competed in the Truck Series but I was very successful there. So for me, at this stage of my career, I want to get back to winning races and battling for championships and getting that confidence back," he was quoted as saying by Sportsnaut.com.

The Welcome, North Carolina native finished second in the Truck standings in 2013 while driving the #3 Chevy for Richard Childress Racing. Returning to full-time competition in the Trucks a decade later, Dillon failed to advance into the playoffs and occupies 18th place in the standings.