According to a recent report from The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi, citing anonymous sources, an altercation between Aric Almirola and Bubba Wallace during a competition meeting resulted in Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) removing Almirola from the driver’s seat of their No. 20 NASCAR Xfinity Series entry at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The incident also led to an indefinite suspension for Almirola from the team.

This isn’t the first time the two drivers have clashed. Last season, during a weather-related red flag at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Almirola and Wallace engaged in a heated exchange on pit road. That confrontation escalated to the point where Almirola shoved Wallace in front of NASCAR security. The exact reason for the dispute is unknown, but those sources said the team viewed Almirola as the instigator.

Bianchi’s report suggests that Almirola’s internal suspension is nearing its end. The team has confirmed that Almirola is scheduled to return to the No. 20 car for the July 20 NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Despite the suspension, Almirola has shown strong performance in his limited Xfinity Series appearances this season. In five starts, he has secured one win and three top-five finishes, maintaining an impressive average finish of 10.2.

Almirola, who retired from full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition at the end of the 2023 season, transitioned to a part-time driving role with JGR. His role was intended to include mentoring the team’s younger developmental drivers.

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Almirola and Wallace, while also demonstrating JGR’s commitment to maintaining a professional environment within their organization. As Almirola prepares for his return to the Xfinity Series, all eyes will be on how he handles his remaining races and mentorship responsibilities for the team.

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