When Chase Briscoe joined Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, he quickly realized the weight of expectations. “At JGR, you are expected to be upfront every single weekend,” Briscoe said. That pressure wasn’t just words—it was a reality that every driver under Joe Gibbs had to live up to. Every single race is an opportunity to prove that JGR is the best, and if you fall short, there’s no room for excuses.

JGR has built a reputation as one of the most dominant organizations in NASCAR. Their success spans decades, with multiple championships and victories across all three national series. During this week’s Xfinity race at the Phoenix Raceway, that dominance was on full display. Veteran driver Aric Almirola bagged a thrilling win at the Desert Mile yesterday. And in doing so, Joe Gibbs sent a strong message to NASCAR’s other powerhouse teams, especially Roger Penske and Rick Hendrick.

Joe Gibbs Racing continues to flourish under pressure!

At the iconic Phoenix Raceway with Arizona desserts in the backdrop, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Aric Almirola won the hard-fought Xfinity race on Saturday. In a three-wide photo finish, Almirola edged out Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman by just 0.045 seconds. While this win marked his eighth in the second-tier series, it was equally historic for the Joe Gibbs Racing team. Notably, this win marked JGR’s 18th Xfinity Series victory at Phoenix, making them the winningest team at any track in Xfinity history. No other team has dominated a single track as JGR has at Phoenix.

But this isn’t just about one weekend. Joe Gibbs Racing has won over 200 races in both the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series, a feat few teams can even dream of. Their legacy isn’t just about winning—it’s about setting records that others struggle to match. However, this win was not as easy as it sounds. The NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Phoenix Raceway was a showdown between Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports/JR Motorsports power.

From the moment the green flag dropped, fans were in for a battle. Alex Bowman started on the pole, and for a while, it seemed like he might run away with it. He led the first 48 laps and won the opening stage, setting the pace for the rest of the field. However, as the race progressed, the tide shifted. Justin Allgaier and Aric Almirola began to close the gap, setting the stage for an intense final run.

Allgaier, desperate to shake off his bad luck at Phoenix, took control in the second stage and looked like he might finally capture the elusive victory. But fate had other plans. A late caution with four laps to go sent the race into overtime, and that’s where things got wild. Bowman had a strong restart, but Almirola was right there with him. In a dramatic final-lap duel, Almirola made a bold move, sliding up and forcing Bowman into the wall. As the two cars crossed the finish line side-by-side, Almirola edged out the victory by just 0.045 seconds.

This win was a statement from the Joe Gibbs-led squad, as he has dominated the Xfinity series scenes. While teams like Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske have dominated the Cup series, they have failed to match JGR’s progress in second-tier races. Notably, in the Xfinity series, Rick Hendrick’s squad has fewer than 30 wins, while Roger Penske also has less than 50 wins. The latest race at Phoenix once again showcased Joe Gibbs Racing’s ability to outclass its rivals in NASCAR’s second-tier series.

However, things take a 360-degree turn in the Cup series. In the top tier of stock car racing, Hendrick Motorsports remains the winningest team with more than 300 wins. With 14 championships, they have set gold standards. Meanwhile, Roger Penske’s Team Penske has been the dominant force in the Next Gen era. The team has won the last three consecutive Cup Series championships, with Joey Logano in 2022, Ryan Blaney in 2023, and Logano again in 2024.

These stats establish that the battle between these three powerhouse teams continues to dominate the NASCAR world. While Rick Hendrick and Roger Penske dominate the Cup landscapes, Joe Gibbs is writing history books in the Xfinity series. However, the upcoming Shriners Children’s 500 race at Phoenix Raceway will give another opportunity to JGR and Christopher Bell to rewrite the history books.

Trending

1

Richard Petty’s Son Betrays the King’s NASCAR Legacy With Humble Dale Earnhardt Claim

2

Richard Petty’s Tribute to the Late “First Lady of NASCAR” Has Mark Martin Mourning With the Community

3

Joe Gibbs Left Speechless as Kyle Busch’s Miracle Partner Flips the Script With Christopher Bell in 2025

4

“Girl Dad” Kyle Busch’s Emotional Gesture for 2-YO Daughter Amid Prayer in Phoenix Leaves Samantha Moved

5

Richard Childress & Co.’s Efforts “Not Enough” as Kyle Busch Drops Positive Update on Phoenix Resurgence

Christopher Bell eyes a historic win!

While Joe Gibbs Racing celebrated its Xfinity Series dominance, Christopher Bell is looking to make history in the Cup Series. With two wins already in the first three races of the 2025 season, Bell is eyeing a third consecutive victory at Phoenix Raceway. If he pulls it off, he will become the 18th driver in history to accomplish the feat and will join the elite list of drivers, which includes legends like Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and Richard Petty.

Bell’s chances at Phoenix look strong. He won at Phoenix last year and completed 193 laps in his last two races there. That’s nearly double the laps of his closest competitor, Joey Logano. His 3.0 average finish at Phoenix is the best in the field. His confidence is at an all-time high. However, he will have to battle hard on Sunday as he starts from 11th position after a poor qualifying run.

“I’m excited about what’s to come. We have high expectations and high hopes. For the last couple of years at JGR, I haven’t been living up to the standards I set for myself. Maybe 2025 will be the year,” Bell beams in confidence. Notably, Bell was one of six drivers who participated in pre-season testing at Phoenix, giving him extra track time with the new short-track package. That experience could prove to be the difference on race day. With the momentum on his side, Bell is in a prime position to accomplish something special.