Aric Almirola’s NASCAR career continues to defy conventional retirement timelines. After initially announcing his departure from full-time Cup Series racing following the 2022 season, he’s repeatedly found himself back on the track and playing a pivotal role for Joe Gibbs Racing. However, as of now, the driver who delivered the organization a championship just three months ago is not listed on their 2026 roster.
Almirola first surprised many by returning to the Cup Series for a sixth year with Stewart-Haas Racing in 2023, after his initial retirement announcement. That return proved to be a precursor to an even more unexpected chapter. In 2024, he transitioned to the Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing, the team where he first debuted in 2005. He quickly made an impact, securing three race wins.
His success didn’t stop there. Almirola continued in a similar part-time capacity with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025, adding another three victories to his tally behind the wheel of the No. 19 Toyota. Despite not being a full-time competitor, he became the primary driver of the No. 19 car, participating in 17 of 33 races. Remarkably, he was the only driver to reach victory lane in that particular entry, even with full-time Cup drivers Christopher Bell, Riley Herbst, Chase Briscoe, and Ty Gibbs also sharing the car.
Almirola’s performance propelled the No. 19 team into the owner playoffs, despite his own ineligibility for the driver playoffs due to his part-time status. Victories at Bristol Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway were instrumental in advancing the team to the owner Championship 4. Reflecting on the season, Almirola expressed gratitude for the unexpected turn of events, stating on X (formerly Twitter) on October 30, 2025, “I am so incredibly grateful God has orchestrated the most unbelievable things this year to have us in a position to try again for an owners championship. Win or lose Saturday night I know God has me right where he wants me because there is no other explanation. I’m ready!”
While Jesse Love ultimately secured the Xfinity Series championship, his No. 2 Richard Childress Racing team did not qualify for the owner Championship 4. This meant that Almirola’s runner-up finish in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway was sufficient to deliver Joe Gibbs Racing the coveted owner championship.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Despite his significant contribution to the team’s success, Almirola is currently not listed on Joe Gibbs Racing’s roster for the 2026 season. All three of the team’s full-time drivers from 2025 – William Sawalich, Taylor Gray, and veteran Brandon Jones – are set to return. Sawalich and Gray will each be back for their second seasons piloting the No. 18 Toyota and No. 54 Toyota, respectively, while Jones is preparing for his second consecutive season in the No. 20 Toyota and his seventh overall with the organization.
The No. 19 Toyota is slated to be driven full-time by Brent Crews, though his age presents a logistical challenge. As Crews won’t turn 18 until March 30, 2026, Joe Gibbs Racing will need to find replacement drivers for the early-season races at Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Darlington Raceway. Gio Ruggiero, who is set to compete full-time for TRICON Garage in the Truck Series, has been announced as the driver for the Daytona and Atlanta races, leaving the car without a designated driver for the March events at Las Vegas and Darlington.
Given Almirola’s victory at Las Vegas in 2025 and his strong fifth-place finish at Darlington in 2024, he would be a logical choice to fill one or both of those remaining races. The possibility remains open, but as of now, the driver who secured a championship for Joe Gibbs Racing just three months ago is not officially part of their 2026 plans.
The 2026 NASCAR season is scheduled to begin on Saturday, February 14, with the United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway, broadcast live on the CW Network at 5:00 p.m. ET.
