AJ Allmendinger is adding another accolade to his racing resume. He will be inducted into the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2025.
The veteran driver, who hails from California, will join a stacked list of inductees this week during the ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada. This 2025 class also includes Chuck Gurney, Davey Hamilton, Jeff Jefferson, Justin Marks, Boris Said, and Rick Ware.
The Heritage Class includes Al Unser, Al Unser Jr., Bobby Unser, Joe Hunt, Tommy Hunt, Tony Hunt, Mike Sargent, and Sleepy Tripp.
The Hall will also induct the Pioneers of Speed, whose careers began before World War II. This list includes Michael (Blackie) Gejeian, Ted Halibrand, Ed Iskenderian, Jack London, and Wally Parks.
The West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame began in 2001 as a way to recognize those who made significant contributions to the sport of stock car racing. Previous Hall of Fame classes have featured such drivers as Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Matt Crafton, Kevin Harvick, and Greg Biffle, among many others.
Allmendinger, in particular, has contributed to racing in multiple ways.
The Los Gatos native spent the early days of his racing career in open-wheel series. For example, he won five times during the 2006 CART season before making his way over to NASCAR. He has also competed in IndyCar and IMSA.
Allmendinger has competed in all three national NASCAR series for multiple teams and has achieved success. He won a Cup Series race for JTG Daugherty Racing early in his career. He won multiple Xfinity Series races for Team Penske.
Of course, Allmendinger's biggest contribution to NASCAR has been his role with Kaulig Racing.
He has helped the team go from a small operation that was disqualified multiple times to one that has competed for multiple championships in Xfinity. Sixteen of his 18 Xfinity wins have been in a Kaulig car, as have two of his three Cup wins.
"It hasn't quite sunk in yet," Allmendinger said in a statement from Kaulig Racing. "It's unique to be in a situation receiving this honor, knowing I still have the opportunity to go out every weekend with Kaulig Racing and continue to build on my career and what we have accomplished together.
"It's special to share this accomplishment with my wife, Tara, and our son, Aero James. I love having Aero at the racetrack, and I know having him be as a part of this will make it emotional and a lasting memory."