The American Snuff Company, LLC (ASC) announced an expanded partnership with Kaulig Racing that will spotlight their Grizzly Nicotine Pouches brand as the primary sponsor for 27 NASCAR Cup Series races in 2026. This collaboration will feature the Welcome, North Carolina-based team and drivers AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon, continuing a relationship that started two years ago.
The new paint schemes carrying the Grizzly branding will make their debut at the start of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series with the Clash event at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Ty Dillon and AJ Allmendinger’s Performance Highlights Under Grizzly Sponsorship
Ty Dillon’s No. 10 Kaulig Racing car first displayed the Grizzly Nicotine Pouches partnership during the 2025 Daytona 500 as part of a limited nine-race deal. Later, the sponsorship expanded to include AJ Allmendinger’s No. 16 car for four races. Dillon made an immediate impression by qualifying in the top 10, leading laps, and finishing 14th in his debut with the sponsor. He also drove into the top five during the Phoenix race and secured a second-place finish in the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series In-Season Tournament, demonstrating his competitiveness.
Allmendinger, recognized as one of NASCAR’s best road course racers, recorded consecutive top-10 finishes, including eighth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and seventh at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Notably, he won the pole position at Bristol Motor Speedway in September driving the Grizzly-sponsored car, marking the brand’s first pole award in the Cup Series.
For the 2026 season, the Grizzly livery will appear 14 times on Dillon’s car and 13 times on Allmendinger’s vehicle.
Grizzly Nicotine Pouches and Community Support Initiatives
Grizzly Nicotine Pouches offer a tobacco leaf-free nicotine option available to adult consumers nationwide, where permitted by law. Beyond sponsoring NASCAR teams, the program partners with The Fallen Outdoors, a nonprofit organization that arranges outdoor activities for veterans, Gold Star families, and active-duty service members. This effort aims to provide healing and community through shared outdoor experiences.
Perspectives from Team and Sponsor Representatives
Brent Trader, Senior Director of Brand Marketing at ASC, expressed enthusiasm about deepening the relationship with Kaulig Racing:
“When we got the chance to further our partnership with Kaulig Racing, we did not hesitate for a second,”
and added,
“We are more than happy with the relationship we have with Kaulig Racing. We felt like this was a great opportunity for the brand and its adult consumers who love NASCAR as much as we do.”
Ty Dillon also shared his thoughts on the partnership:
“NASCAR fans are ASC fans and ASC fans are NASCAR fans,”
and,
“I am honored they are stepping up their commitment to Kaulig Racing and NASCAR. They will be a big part of our success. But they are also winners off the track, supporting so many worthy initiatives. They are good people, and I am proud they are our sponsor at Kaulig Racing.”
Matt Kaulig, owner of Kaulig Racing, acknowledged the significance of ASC’s increased sponsorship as a sign of the team’s development:
“We have worked hard on our Cup program, and it is starting to bear fruit with our on-track product and elevated partnerships,”
stating,
“We are in a growth period and focused on an upward trajectory, so it is awesome that partners feel good about what we are delivering to expand their program with us. I am so proud of Ty Dillon and how he has performed and engaged with the ASC team, and everyone at Kaulig Racing is excited that AJ remains part of the program.”
The Broader Impact and Future Outlook for the Sponsorship
This expanded sponsorship deal marks a significant milestone for both the American Snuff Company and Kaulig Racing, reflecting mutual confidence in their partnership and shared passion for NASCAR. As the team prepares for a demanding 2026 season with increased backing, the visibility of Grizzly Nicotine Pouches in NASCAR’s premier series is expected to grow substantially.
The collaboration also highlights the industry’s engagement with adult consumers through responsible marketing and community involvement, notably supporting veterans and military families via The Fallen Outdoors initiative. Looking ahead, the strengthened alliance positions Kaulig Racing to continue its upward competitive momentum while elevating the Grizzly brand’s association with the sport and its fans.
