AK Racing (Alan Kulwicki Survives)
AK Racing, which has operated since 1986, is a NASCAR Monster Energy Cup team that began expansion in the mid '90s, picking up David Green as a second driver, and Tommy Kendall as a third. Today, the cars (#7, #27 and #96) once driven by these drivers are now driven by Alan, Jr. (#7 ((debuted in the Sprint Cup in 2016)), David Green (#27 ((retiring after the 2018 season)) and Kurt Busch (#96).
Founding
AK Racing was founded by Alan Kulwicki, and for a long while was a team only he himself drove for. It wouldn't be until 1994, when Alan saw the potential of Busch Grand National driver David Green, that the team began expanding, now having 2 cars. Over the course of the late '90s the team expanded again with the addition of Tommy Kendall. Today, the cars (#7, #27 and #96) once driven by these drivers are now driven by Alan, Jr. (#7 ((debuted in the Sprint Cup in 2016)), David Green (#27 ((retiring after the 2018 season)) and Kurt Busch (#96).
Present Day
Today AK Racing is spearheaded by Alan, Jr. and Kurt Busch. The team is a powerhouse in NASCAR and is considered the second most powerful Ford team ahead of Penske Racing, but slightly behind Stewart-Haas Racing.
Driver Development Program
Alan Kluwicki Racing has a subsidiary, the Kulwicki Driver Development Program, which trains young drivers Kulwicki sees massive potential in. Drivers that have been in the program at one time or another include Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the late '90s (Dale Sr. was good friends with Kulwicki), Tony Stewart (also in the late '90s and even during the 2000 season), Jimmie Johnson (from 1999-2001) and, more recently, Ty Dillion in the late 2000's. As of present Kulwicki trains St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada native D.J. Kennington and William Byron, the 2017 Xfinity Series champion.