ARIC ALMIROLA'S NASCAR ABSENCE DOWN TO PHYSICAL ALTERCATION WITH BUBBA WALLACE

Aric Almirola was reportedly suspended by Joe Gibbs Racing following a physical altercation with Bubba Wallace. The 40-year-old was removed from his NASCAR drive at Charlotte Motor Speedway last month and was suspended indefinitely.

Ahead of the May 25 Xfinity Series race, Almirola was reportedly punished by JGR and hasn't featured since a fifth-place finish at Darlington. It's been reported that the reason is following an altercation with 23XI Racer Watson.

According to The Athletic, the altercation occurred in the week leading into the Charlotte race during a weekly competition meeting that includes both the drivers of JGR and 23XI Racing, due to Toyota supporting both teams and having a close technical alliance.

While the exact reason for the dispute is unknown, the publication's sources claim that the team viewed Almirola as the instigator. The decision was then subsequently made to suspend him for the Charlotte race - which he originally planned to drive the No.20 car.

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Almirola was removed by JGR from the entry list on May 22 and was replaced by Ty Gibbs, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs. When he was asked about why his grandson was racing and not Almirola, Gibbs wanted to keep the quarrel hidden and instead claimed it was a "team decision" not to give Almirola the drive.

It isn't the first time the two drivers have clashed, previously at Charlotte last year, the two were seen arguing on the pit road during a rain delay over a battle for position which ended with Almirola shoving Wallace. Almirola claimed he took issue when Wallace gave him the middle finger on track, while the No.23 driver offered little on the confrontation other than calling Almirola two-faced.

The three-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner is set to return very soon with his suspension to be lifted. The article claims that sources briefed on the team's plans said he is expected to return to the team for the July 20 Xfinity race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Almirola has driven five Xfinity races during the 2024 season for JGR having returned to the team's program this offseason after racing for various teams in the last few years. He previously drove for JGR in Xfinity for parts of the 2006 and 2007 seasons during his early years.

2024-06-27T17:08:46Z dg43tfdfdgfd