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Aric Almirola involved in ‘physical altercation’ with Bubba Wallace, suspended from Joe Gibbs Racing

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•06/27/24•

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In a bombshell NASCAR report Thursday, Aric Almirola has been serving a suspension from Joe Gibbs Racing, according to a report from Jordan Bianchi.

“News from Jordan Bianchi: Aric Almirola has been missing from Joe Gibbs Racing’s Xfinity Series car because he was the instigator in a physical altercation with Bubba Wallace,” Jeff Gluck wrote on Twitter. “His suspension will be lifted soon.”

Almirola was removed from the No. 20 car for the May 25 Xfinity Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway and subsequently suspended indefinitely.

As far as the altercation with Wallace is concerned, it reportedly happened early in the week leading into the race at Charlotte. It occurred at a weekly competition meeting featuring both the drivers of Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI Racing.

According to the report, Almirola was the instigator of the unknown dispute. But, he won’t be off the track for too long.

“Almirola’s suspension is set to be lifted soon,” Bianchi wrote for The Athletic. “He is expected to return to the team for the July 20 Xfinity race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, according to sources briefed on the team’s plans.”

Aric Almirola suspended after altercation with Bubba Wallace

Now that the news came to light, Almirola’s suspension makes a little more sense on the surface. Although, it’s still unknown as to what caused the issue.

Once JGR found out Almirola was the instigator, the decision was made to suspend him for the Charlotte race. On May 22, JGR removed Almirola from the entry list and replaced him with Ty Gibbs, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs.

Ty Gibbs said during the race weekend he found out Wednesday that week that he’d be racing that Saturday. When Joe Gibbs was asked following the Charlotte race why his grandson was driving and not Almirola, Gibbs said it was a “team decision,” per The Athletic.

Almirola drove for JGR in five Xfinity races during the 2024 season with a best finish of first in Martinsville. As far as the race he missed, Ty Gibbs finished ninth in Charlotte.