How NASCAR’s Diversity Program Helped Joe Gibbs Discover a Friend for Life

After being around in the NASCAR Cup Series for 16 years, Aric Almirola finally went back to Joe Gibbs Racing—the very folks who got him rolling in NASCAR—to run as a part-time driver for them in the Xfinity Series in 2024. He was asked to run behind the wheel of the #20 Toyota. After wrapping up six years with Stewart-Haas Racing, Almirola is all in at JGR for about 15 to 16 Xfinity races this season. He hit the track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, landing a P10 start and a P12 finish in his Toyota comeback.

When chatting about Almirola’s future with the team, Joe Gibbs couldn’t help but get a bit nostalgic. He recalled the days when Almirola would hang out with his son, J.D., and how the diversity program brought a gem like Almirola into their lap.

Aric Almirola isn’t just another driver for Joe Gibbs; he is actually the kind of friend everyone hopes to have

Hitting the track with JGR in the Xfinity Series back in 2006 and making his Cup Series debut in 2007, Almirola had quite the journey. He ran 18 Xfinity races in 2007 and even won in Milwaukee. And that apparently turned heads because Denny Hamlin was running late and Almirola started the race. The spotlight moment paved the way for him to join Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2008, where he shared the #8 ride with Mark Martin.

Following that, since 2012, Almirola has been a constant in the Cup Series. He initially drove for Richard Petty Motorsports and then switched to Tony Stewart’s SHR. But in 2024, he has turned his gears towards the Xfinity Series. Reflecting on Almirola’s upcoming journey, Joe Gibbs shared in a press briefing, “He [Aric Almirola] was in our diversity program that we had when Reggie White [an NFL Hall of Famer] as… you know with us. And he was the owner of the diversity team we had. Aric went through there.”

JGR owner added, “He’s of Cuban descent. Yeah, we had Bubba [Wallace] went through there, Daniel Suarez went through there, so all those guys went through our diversity program. And Aric, we’ve gotten the conversation, about a year ago. And I said, ‘You need to come back and finish your career with us.'”

Gibbs also talked about the deeper connection Almirola has with the team, beyond just racing. He shared a touching story about his son, J.D., who he lost in 2019, and Almirola. J.D. actually played a big role in bringing Almirola and numerous other drivers to the team through his diversity program. However, in his final five years, J.D.’s health declined, leaving him unable to talk or interact much.

But even during that tough time, Almirola would often just sit by his side for hours, despite the fact that J.D. couldn’t respond or communicate. Gibbs expressed, “I just appreciate him so much and the kind of person he is. So anyway… We want to, certainly, keep him as long as we can.”

And well, he is not just a friendly character in NASCAR. Besides his bond with the team, Almirola’s choice to keep racing, especially jumping into an Xfinity car instead of hanging up his helmet, is proving to be a good move.

#20 driver shining in the Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing

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Last Saturday at Richmond Raceway, Aric Almirola was on fire, bagging the first two stages and finishing second place by the race’s end in his third outing this season in the #20 Toyota.

Disappointed with the finish, Almirola said, that he hated the fact that he won both stages and still didn’t win the race. He said that he felt like he had the dominant car and then to let it slip away in the end was disappointing. But it was a fun weekend for him in Richmond, coming back 18 years from his first start with coach (Joe Gibbs).

Read More: Aric Almirola: “It’s Going to Have to Wait” as 18-Year Long JGR-Richmond Dream Slips Away

He continued, “It’s amazing to see what God has done in my life over the last 20 years since got that call from coach and J.D. Gibbs to come drive for them. I really wanted to put this thing in victory lane for them, but I’m going to have to wait.”

Not to mention, Saturday’s race at Richmond Raceway was an absolute Toyota show, with the top four spots snagged by the manufacturer. Chandler Smith, Aric Almirola, and Taylor Gray from JGR clinched the top three, while Corey Heim from Sam Hunt Racing wrapped up fourth.