Aric Michael Almirola Bio
Aric Michael Almirola (born March 14, 1984) is an American semi-retired professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing. Almirola has also competed full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series and part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, as well as in the ARCA Menards Series and its regional divisions.
Early Life and Background
Aric Michael Almirola was born at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is of Cuban descent and was raised in Tampa, Florida. His grandfather, Sam Rodriguez, was a dirt sprint car driver, which influenced Almirola’s early interest in racing. He began racing go-karts at the age of eight and started competing nationally by age fourteen, quickly making a mark by winning the pole position in his debut World Karting Association race and finishing fourth in the standings that year. He progressed to modified cars two years later, earning multiple Rookie of the Year awards.
Almirola graduated from Hillsborough High School in Tampa and briefly attended the University of Central Florida, where he pursued a degree in mechanical engineering before leaving to focus on his racing career.
Path to NASCAR
Almirola moved into the NASCAR Sun Belt Weekly Racing Division in 2002, finishing second in the Rookie of the Year standings. He earned five pole positions in 2003 and was among the first drivers to participate in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program in 2004. That year, he signed with Joe Gibbs Racing as a development driver and won multiple races at Ace Speedway. He made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Morgan-Dollar Motorsports in 2005, earning two top-ten finishes in four races.
In 2006, Almirola drove full-time in the Truck Series for Spears Motorsports as part of Joe Gibbs Racing’s development program, securing three top-ten finishes. He also competed in nine Busch Series races for Joe Gibbs Racing, gaining valuable experience and serving as a test driver for Cup Series teammates. His early NASCAR career was marked by steady progression through the ranks and key opportunities that set the foundation for his future in the sport.
Aric Michael Almirola Career
Early Career (2002–2007)
Almirola’s early NASCAR career included competing in the Sun Belt Weekly Racing Division and the Truck Series, where he demonstrated consistent performance and earned multiple top-ten finishes. In 2007, he moved up to the Busch Series full-time, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. He won his first NASCAR Busch Series race that year at the AT&T 250 at the Milwaukee Mile, a race in which he started but was replaced mid-race by teammate Denny Hamlin due to sponsor commitments. This unique situation marked his first official victory in the series.
Later in 2007, Almirola joined Dale Earnhardt, Inc. and drove the No. 01 Chevrolet in five races. Although his finishes were modest, this period was important for gaining experience in higher-level NASCAR competition.
Sprint Cup Series Breakthrough (2008–2014)
In 2008, Almirola was named co-driver of the No. 8 United States Army-sponsored Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup Series, sharing the ride with Mark Martin. He earned his best finish that season with an eighth place at Bristol and secured a third-place starting position at Martinsville. In 2009, he was named full-time driver of the No. 8 car but lost the ride mid-season due to sponsorship issues.
Almirola continued to compete in various NASCAR series, including part-time Truck Series races where he won his first Camping World Truck Series race at Dover International Speedway in 2010. He also served as a standby driver for Hendrick Motorsports in the Cup Series during this period. In 2011, he drove the No. 88 Nationwide Series car for JR Motorsports, finishing fourth in points with two poles and eighteen top-ten finishes.
Almirola’s significant breakthrough came when he signed with Richard Petty Motorsports to drive the iconic No. 43 car full-time in 2012. He earned the pole position at Charlotte and recorded multiple top-ten finishes. His first Sprint Cup Series win came in 2014 at the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona, marking the first victory for the No. 43 car since 1999 and the first by a Cuban-American driver in NASCAR’s top series. This victory secured his first Chase for the Sprint Cup appearance.
Stewart-Haas Racing Era (2018–2023)
In 2018, Almirola joined Stewart-Haas Racing to drive the No. 10 Ford Fusion. He led the 2018 Daytona 500 before a last-lap crash relegated him to eleventh place. That season, he won the fall Talladega race, his second career Cup Series victory, and finished fifth in the points standings, the highest of his career. Almirola consistently made the playoffs during his tenure with Stewart-Haas Racing and secured multiple top-ten finishes.
In 2021, he won the Bluegreen Vacations Duel and the NASCAR All-Star Open, adding to his list of notable victories. Despite announcing retirement from full-time racing after the 2022 season, he continued to compete part-time in 2023, including in the Xfinity Series. He earned wins at Kansas and Martinsville during the 2023 Xfinity Series playoffs, showcasing his enduring competitiveness.
Driving Style and Strengths
Aric Almirola is known for his consistency and strategic racecraft, particularly on superspeedways and intermediate tracks. His ability to manage race pace and maintain strong finishes has been a hallmark of his career. Almirola’s partnerships with experienced crew chiefs and teams like Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing have contributed to his success on the track.
Notable Races and Milestones
Almirola’s career highlights include his 2014 Daytona win, which ended a 15-year victory drought for the No. 43 car, and his 2018 Talladega victory that secured his deepest playoff run. He has also won the Bluegreen Vacations Duel twice, in 2021 and 2023, and the NASCAR All-Star Open in 2021. His resilience was evident following a serious crash in 2017, from which he made a strong recovery to continue competing at a high level.
Aric Michael Almirola Career Wins
Throughout his career, Aric Almirola has accumulated multiple wins across NASCAR’s top series, including the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Truck Series. His victories are marked by strategic driving and perseverance in highly competitive fields.
NASCAR Cup Series Highlights
Almirola has two official NASCAR Cup Series wins: the 2014 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona and the 2018 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega. He also won the Bluegreen Vacations Duel in 2021 and 2023 and the NASCAR All-Star Open in 2021. His 2014 Daytona win was particularly significant, ending a long winless period for the iconic No. 43 car and marking a milestone for Cuban-American drivers in NASCAR.
Other Wins & Performances
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Almirola won the 2016 race at Daytona and secured multiple wins in 2023, including a victory at Martinsville that earned him a Dash 4 Cash bonus. He also won twice in the Camping World Truck Series in 2010, at Dover and Michigan, finishing second in the Truck Series points standings that year.
Aric Michael Almirola Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Aric Almirola comes from a family with a racing background; his grandfather, Sam Rodriguez, was a dirt sprint car driver. His parents are Ralph and Emilda Almirola. This heritage influenced his early interest and involvement in motorsports.
Personal Life
Almirola is married to Janice Almirola, and they have two children, a daughter named Abby and a son named Alex. He has been involved in public service campaigns, including a 2019 announcement promoting responsible fatherhood. Almirola attended Hillsborough High School and briefly studied mechanical engineering at the University of Central Florida before pursuing racing full-time.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Aric Almirola is set to compete part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing, partnering with the Christian organization Young Life. He is scheduled to participate in nine events, continuing his successful part-time racing career. Early in the season, he secured a dramatic win at Phoenix in a photo finish and has been competitive throughout the playoffs with victories at Bristol and Las Vegas. His strong performances have contributed to the No. 19 car winning the owners’ championship, highlighting Almirola’s ongoing impact in the series despite a limited schedule.
