3 Xfinity drivers poised to breakout in 2023 NASCAR Cup Series

A.J. Allmendinger

Unlike the other drivers that will appear on this list, Allmendinger is a savvy veteran who already holds plenty of Cup Series experience. The 40-year-old first debuted in the Cup Series in 2007 with Team Red Bull, later joining Richard Petty Motorsports, Team Penske and Phoenix Racing. In 2018, Allmendinger joined JTG Daugherty Racing, but would lose his full-time Cup Series spot with the team to Ryan Preece. Over the next few years, Allmendinger joined Kaulig Racing to drive in the Xfinity Series while also dabbling into the media industry as an analyst with NBC. He became a full-time Xfinity Series driver for Kaulig in 2021 as he won five races both that season and again in 2022, becoming a regular-season champion both years while upping his career Xfinity Series win total to 15.

In addition, Allmendinger also has two Cup Series victories to his name, one coming at Watkins Glen in 2014, and the other coming in 2021 as he made a rare Cup Series appearance for Kaulig at the Indianapolis Road Course. Allmendinger made numerous appearances in Cup Series races in 2022 with nine top-10 finishes. In October, Kaulig Racing announced Allmendinger would make a full-time return to the Cup Series in the No. 16 Chevrolet. The long-time driver figures to contend in several races in 2023 just as he has in limited action the past two seasons. Perhaps the most notable races to watch for when it comes to Allmendinger are at two places he has won before as the Cup Series heads to the Indianapolis Road Course and Watkins Glen in back-to-back weeks in August.