AJ Allmendinger’s Kaulig Racing team has secured a significant sponsorship extension with CELSIUS Energy Drink for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. This renewed agreement guarantees that the AJ Allmendinger CELSIUS sponsorship will be a prominent feature across multiple key Cup and Truck Series races, beginning at the Daytona 500.
CELSIUS Increases Presence on Kaulig Racing’s #16 Car
Continuing its longstanding relationship with Kaulig Racing, CELSIUS confirmed an intensified involvement in the 2026 season. The energy drink brand will serve as the primary sponsor on the #16 Chevrolet during nine NASCAR Cup Series races, starting with the season’s opening event at Daytona International Speedway. Fans will see the iconic orange and white CELSIUS colors at prominent venues such as Circuit of The Americas, Texas Motor Speedway on May 3, Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, Pocono Raceway on June 14, Naval Base Coronado on June 21, Chicagoland Speedway on July 5, Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 4, and concluding with the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8.
Kaulig Racing expressed their enthusiasm on social media, sharing:
“From the Cup Series to the Truck Series, @CelsiusOfficial keeps Kaulig Racing powered up all weekend long! ⚡2026 will see nine primaries on @AJDinger’s car and five primaries on @Justin_Haley_’s truck.”
CELSIUS Supports Justin Haley in the Truck Series
Alongside Allmendinger’s Cup Series activities, CELSIUS will also be the primary sponsor for Justin Haley driving the #16 RAM truck in five NASCAR Truck Series races. The partnership kicks off at Daytona International Speedway and continues at St. Petersburg on February 28, Texas on May 1, Kansas on September 26, and wraps up at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 6. This expanded sponsorship reflects CELSIUS’s growing commitment across multiple tiers of NASCAR competition.
Strategic Growth Between Kaulig Racing and CELSIUS
Since 2022, CELSIUS has established itself as a key partner within the NASCAR landscape through its alliance with Kaulig Racing. This partnership has yielded impressive results, including two victories by AJ Allmendinger with the CELSIUS branding—one at Circuit of the Americas during the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and another at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Matt Kaulig, owner of Kaulig Racing, shared his excitement about the renewed partnership:
“We’re thrilled to have CELSIUS back as a cornerstone partner. Their commitment to fitness and performance aligns perfectly with our team, and we can’t wait to showcase the brand with AJ and Justin in 2026.”
AJ Allmendinger’s Return and Future Prospects
AJ Allmendinger resumed full-time competition in the NASCAR Cup Series last year with Kaulig Racing, finishing the season 26th in the overall standings. The strengthened CELSIUS sponsorship is expected to provide greater stability and bolster the team’s competitiveness as they approach the highly anticipated 2026 campaign.
Preparing for a Prominent 2026 NASCAR Campaign
With CELSIUS’s expanded backing, Kaulig Racing is set to make a strong impact in both the Cup and Truck Series in 2026. The season will begin at Bowman Gray Stadium on Sunday, February 1, 2026, with AJ Allmendinger and Justin Haley leading the charge. The duo, supported by CELSIUS branding, aims to deliver spirited performances throughout the year, ensuring the team’s visibility and influence remain substantial across NASCAR’s premier racing events.
