Joe Gibbs’ Part-Time Driver Spoils NASCAR Playoff Party With Epic Bristol Showdown

It was the kind of finish that makes you hold your breath until the very last lap. Aric Almirola, a 41-year-old part-time driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, snatched his victory at Bristol Motor Speedway, crossing the finish line just 0.381 seconds ahead of Sheldon Creed. Starting third, dominated portions of the race, leading 34 laps, and staying in the top five for 20 laps on one of NASCAR’s trickiest short tracks. Amid it all, the real story isn’t just the win but what it did to the playoff standings.

Smith, who came into the Round of 12 just four points above the cut line, fell all the way to 24 points below after finishing 37th. Austin Hill of Richard Childress Racing dropped 16 points behind, and Jesse Love, determined to reach the Championship 4, slid into a three-point deficit. On the other hand, drivers like Sheldon Creed, Sam Mayer, and Carson Kvapil had decent runs, too, but still not enough to offset the shakeup. 

Connor Zilisch remained a standout. Starting fourth, he moved into second by the end of Stage 1 and made a decisive pass in Stage 2 to briefly claim the lead. Though he ultimately finished fifth, Zilisch extended his record to 15 consecutive top-five finishes in the Xfinity Series. Even without a win at Bristol, Zilisch maintained a solid playoff position with consistent speed throughout the season. 

But how did a part-time driver pull off such a feat? The answer lies in strategy. From the green flag to the final lap, Almirola was a masterclass in control and aggression. With only two pit stops, the last one a full 116 laps before the finish, he combined speed, smarts, and patience to stay in the hunt, posting his fastest lap of 16.179 seconds on lap 224.

On lap 283, he led the restart from the outside lane, slicing past Carson Kvapil for the lead while Sam Mayer hovered just behind like a shadow. By lap 291, the tension was palpable. Mayer, a whisper away at 0.203 seconds, Creed closing in for third, and Almirola holding the line with nerves of steel. Every lap felt like a chess match at 118 mph, with Almirola positioning himself perfectly for fending off relentless challengers.

Pit strategy was where the part-timer shone. When most lead-lap cars headed to pit road on lap 266, Aric Almirola hung back in second, keeping his track position and setting himself up to reclaim the lead at the restart. Tire management, track savvy, and split-second timing allowed him to keep competitors at bay, turning the high-banked chaos of Bristol into a stage where he could shine. Later, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver reflected on his decision to run the race on older tires:

“Yeah, I’ve just been tired of getting beat by those guys. I figured I’d try my chances with the lead. They’ve been so fast, and they fire off so fast on new cars, I just didn’t think I could beat them straight up on tires. It took me about 20 laps to get going, so I thought my best chance was to stay out on old tires.”

And this victory was a remarkable achievement, especially considering his part-time status with Joe Gibbs Racing. His win at Bristol, which is known for challenging short-track racing, showcased his experience and ability to perform under pressure.