By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer
Kaulig Racing and Justin Haley are teaming to attempt their first Daytona 500.
Haley, the defending Coke Zero Sugar 400 winner, will drive the No. 16 Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.) Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE at Daytona International Speedway. The race marks the NASCAR Cup Series debut for Kaulig Racing.
Kaulig Racing has two victories in 150 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts with Ross Chastain and A.J. Allmendinger. The fifth-year organization has 10 top-five and 51 top-10 finishes.
“I am super excited to attempt not only our first NASCAR Cup Series race, but our first Daytona 500!” exclaimed team owner, Matt Kaulig. “To be competing at the World Center of Racing on the main stage is incredible, especially for our team that began just four years ago. I have all the confidence in the world that Justin Haley will make everyone at Kaulig Racing proud and truly let everyone know that Kaulig Racing is here to compete.”
In addition to Haley’s success at Daytona International Speedway, he experienced a controversial defeat in July 2018. Although he crossed the line first, a double-yellow line violation dropped him down the running order. Haley returned a year later and shocked the NASCAR world with an improbable NASCAR Cup Series victory.
“I am eager to try and qualify for the Daytona 500,” Haley admitted. “It is an honor for me to compete for a starting spot in Kaulig Racing’s first NASCAR Cup Series race.
“The F.O.E. has been with me since 2016. The Eagles were on my car when I won in July at Daytona, so it’s a great fit for them to be back on my car as we try to lock ourselves into the Daytona 500.”
The 2020 Daytona 500 will also mark the first Daytona 500 for the Fraternal Order of Eagles. The F.O.E. have adorned NASCAR Cup Series cars eight times between Justin Allgaier and Haley. F.O.E. has visited victory lane in NASCAR’s National Series six times as a primary sponsor dating back to James Buescher at Daytona International Speedway.
“We couldn’t be happier to partner with Justin and Kaulig Racing in their Daytona 500 effort,” F.O.E. Grand Worthy President Ron Malz stated. “Last year’s win at Daytona was the highlight of our 15-plus years in NASCAR and our members are excited for a chance to replicate that feat in the sport’s signature race.”
Daytona International Speedway holds a special place for Kaulig Racing. It was the site of their first victory with Chastain and was the first time the organization fielded three cars. The team will once again field three Xfinity cars at Daytona for Allmendinger, Chastain, and Haley.
“Kaulig Racing has made continuous strides to be competitive in the Xfinity Series in the past few years,” team President Chris Rice explained. “In 2018, we fielded two cars at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“Then in 2019, we not only fielded two cars for multiple races, but we added a third entry at Daytona in July and got our first win with Ross Chastain. As we continue to grow, I feel it is time to go to Daytona and compete in the Cup Series.”
As an open team, Haley and Kaulig Racing have to race their way into the 62nd running of the Daytona 500 either by qualifying on the front row or via the Bluegreen Vacation Duels.