AJ Allmendinger joins two NASCAR team owners as West Coast Motorsports Hall of Fame inductees

The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame has announced AJ Allmendinger to the 2025 class of inductees. Allmendinger will join NASCAR team owners Rick Ware and Justin Marks as well as former driver Boris Said among other inductees.

This is a big batch of names for NASCAR. Drivers such as Kevin Harvick and Ron Hornaday Jr. have been named to the West Coast Motorsports Hall of Fame in the past. 2025 is a big class for the organization.

AJ Allmendinger, Rick Ware, Justin Marks, Boris Said, Chuck Gurney, Davey Hamilton, and Jeff Jefferson make up the 2025 class. From NASCAR to sports cars to IndyCar and sprint cars – this class represents it all.

A hearty congratulations to Rick Ware for being named to the @WestCoastHOF Class of 2025. The Los Angeles native will be formally inducted March 13 in Las Vegas.#Racing, #Motorsports, #HallOfFame pic.twitter.com/LY5F9rGMUd

— Rick Ware Racing (@RickWareRacing) December 9, 2024

Motorsports isn’t always about results. A lot of times, it’s about being a leader, giving other people opportunities, and doing the other things around racing.

Then you have someone like AJ Allmendinger. From IndyCar to NASCAR he has made himself over and revitalized his career a couple of times. Next season he returns to the Cup Series for Kaulig Racing.

Meanwhile, Rick Ware and Justin Marks are setting good examples as team owners. Ware has formed an alliance with RFK Racing to help bolster his program and has had some success in the last year.

Marks and Trackhouse continue to push boundaries on what NASCAR ownership looks like. All of these men are worthy inductees into the West Coast Motorsports Hall of Fame.

AJ Allmendinger heading back to NASCAR Cup Series

At 43 years old, AJ Allmendinger will be back in the NASCAR Cup Series. The Dinger is hoping to give Kaulig the boost that they need to get back to trophy hunting at NASCAR’s highest level.

Now, I’m not sure what to expect from Kaulig after a lackluster 2024. Daniel Hemric and the rotating cast the No. 16 car had this season did not meet standards. At all. Kaulig was virtually a non-factor this season.

Teamed up with Ty Dillon for 2025, Allmendinger has a chance to shine. At least compared to his teammate who has yet to show a spark in the Cup Series despite landing another full-time ride.

AJ Allmendinger is talented enough to compete on the road courses still. With a consistent schedule in Cup, could we see Allmendinger take a road course win in 2025? Perhaps at Mexico City?