Aric Almirola scheduled to return to NASCAR Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing at Indianapolis

NASCAR veteran Aric Almirola is set to return for the Xfinity Series race in Indianapolis. Almirola will drive for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Pennzoil 250 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Veteran driver and long-time Stewart-Haas Racing star Aric Almirola parted ways with NASCAR Cup Series action last season. After six full seasons that included five playoff qualifications and two victories, Almirola, 40, left SHR at the end of 2023 alongside Kevin Harvick.

With an uncertain future and speculations about his continuity, Almirola returned to the Xfinity Series this season, partnering with Joe Gibbs Racing. He has so far competed in five races this season, having won one at Martinsville Speedway, and finishing second the week prior in Richmond.

After a fifth-place finish in Darlington, followed by a brief hiatus, Aric Almirola returns to his part-time duties with Joe Gibbs Racing. The 40-year-old driver is set to pilot the No. 20 Toyota in the upcoming race, where he will also team up with Joe Graf Jr. The latter is competing in his first race of the season.

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Why did Aric Almirola return to the Xfinity Series?

After more than a decade of competing in the Cup Series, which involves a grueling schedule of 36 races a year, Almirola sought a change of pace. Reflecting on his decision, he shared with NASCAR.com:

"I feel like I still have a lot left to give to this sport. I just needed to slow down. When you’re Cup racing, I felt like I was on the treadmill at like 15 miles per hour, as fast as it would go, and you are not allowed to stop it. You just had to keep running as fast as you could go, and I just got to the point where I felt my legs were going to give out and I was going to get spit off the back of the treadmill."

This year marks a reunion of sorts for Aric Almirola and JGR. He made his Xfinity debut with the organization in 2006, and now, almost two decades later, he finds himself back with the team. The opportunity arose in a rather unexpected manner, as Almirola was preparing to step aside from racing after the 2023 season. He added:

"It was out of nowhere. I got a call from Coach [Joe Gibbs] in early September, and he said, ‘Hey, I heard you’re going to retire,’ and I said, ‘Yes, sir, I am.’ He said, ‘Well, if you are, I’d like for you to come back to Joe Gibbs Racing and retire from here.’ I was humbled, shocked, and I was excited. I wanted to stay involved in the sport and contribute somehow, someway. I just didn’t want to do it seven days a week for however long the Cup schedule is."