Aric Almirola showcased his racing prowess by clinching victory at the Food City 300, part of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, held on September 12 at the iconic Bristol Motor Speedway. Almirola's strategy proved successful as he navigated the final laps, holding off fierce contenders Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer.
With just 35 laps remaining, Almirola, Mayer, and a select group of drivers opted to remain on track during a caution, while Creed and Connor Zilisch chose to pit for fresh tires. This decision played a crucial role in the outcome of the race. "We had to make a tough call there, but it worked out for us in the end," said Almirola, reflecting on their strategy.
As the race resumed, Almirola and Mayer gained a considerable lead. However, Creed began to make a late push, securing second place by the final lap. Despite his efforts, time ran out for Creed to challenge Almirola for the win. "I gave it everything I had, but just ran out of laps," stated Creed after the race.
The significance of Almirola's win is accentuated by the fact that he is not among the drivers vying for the Xfinity Series playoffs. "It's always nice to win, but I know I’m not in the playoffs, so that changes my perspective a bit," he acknowledged. This victory did not lock in any driver for the next playoff round, adding to the competitive tension among the playoff contenders.
1. Aric Almirola, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 2. Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Haas Factory Team Ford 3. Sam Mayer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford 4. Carson Kvapil, No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet 5. Connor Zilisch, No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet 6. Justin Allgaier, No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet 7. Harrison Burton, No. 25 AM Racing Ford 8. Christian Eckes, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet 9. Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Jeremy Clements Racing Chevrolet 10. Brennan Poole, No. 44 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet 11. Brandon Jones, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 12. Dean Thompson, No. 26 Sam Hunt Racing Toyota 13. Nick Sanchez, No. 48 Big Machine Racing Chevrolet 14. Taylor Gray, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 15. William Sawalich, No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 16. Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet 17. Corey Day, No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 18. Jeb Burton, No. 27 Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet 19. Austin Hill, No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 20. Brenden Queen, No. 11 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet 21. Kyle Sieg, No. 28 RSS Racing Ford 22. Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 Young's Motorsports Chevrolet 23. Ryan Sieg, No. 39 RSS Racing Ford 24. Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 Viking Motorsports Chevrolet 25. Jesse Love, No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 26. Daniel Dye, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet 27. Jeffery Earnhardt, No. 24 Sam Hunt Racing Toyota 28. Josh Williams, No. 45 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet 29. Josh Bilicki, No. 91 DGM Racing Chevrolet 30. Logan Bearden, No. 14 SS Green Light Racing Chevrolet 31. Austin Green, No. 32 Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet 32. Leland Honeyman, No. 70 Cope Family Racing Chevrolet 33. Carson Ware, No. 07 SS Green Light Racing Ford 34. Blaine Perkins, No. 31 Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet 35. Joey Gase, No. 53 Joey Gase Motorsports Chevrolet 36. Stefan Parsons, No. 35 Joey Gase Motorsports Chevrolet 37. Sammy Smith, No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet 38. Ryan Ellis, No. 71 DGM Racing Chevrolet.
This victory for Almirola adds another layer of excitement to the NASCAR Xfinity season. As the playoffs approach, every race becomes pivotal for those vying for a championship, while Almirola’s accomplishment serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and competitiveness in motorsport. Fans can look forward to the next race as teams continue to push for that elusive chance at the playoffs.