A gigantic story dropped in the world of NASCAR earlier this week via Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, where it was reported that Aric Almirola has been serving a suspension from Joe Gibbs Racing due to a physical altercation with Bubba Wallace.
According to Bianchi, Almirola was suspended because he was the instigator in the situation. It reportedly happened early in the week leading into the Xfinity Series race at Charlotte, which Almirola was removed from.
Additionally, the altercation apparently occurred at a weekly competition meeting featuring both the drivers of Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI Racing.
With Almirola’s suspension set to be lifted soon, as Bianchi reported he’s expected to return to the team for the July 20 Xfinity race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Wallace is being grilled with questions on the matter at Nashville Superspeedway.
Wallace has decided to take the high road and limit his comments on the matter, but he made a pointed one that can be perceived as a shot at Almirola while speaking with the media on Saturday afternoon.
“They don’t want me to get into the details. Keep some people’s images good,” Wallace told FOX’s Bob Pockrass. “I think I said enough at Charlotte last year. So, all in all, life is good for me. That shit happened over a month ago. A lot of good has come my way, and that’s what I’m focused on.
“Focused on getting our stuff turned back around, and you know, off the race track, I’m focused on my wife, and baby boy, that’s growing and growing, so that’s all you can really ask for. So things are good for me off-track. Not so much on-track. That’s what we’re focusing on right now. So, there you go. That’s the only question you’ll get.”
Of course, Almirola has a pretty tremendous image, at least to the NASCAR world. He’s cultivated over the course of his racing career, including a length stint in the Cup Series. However, it’s evident it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows with Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series.
Moreover, Wallace’s comment, “I think I said enough at Charlotte last year,” is referring to when he called Almirola “two-faced” last season. Regardless, Bubba Wallace is choosing to keep his focus on making the Cup Series playoffs in 2024, as he’s currently on the outside looking in.
Nevertheless, it’s obvious there’s not a lot of love between Aric Almirola and the No. 23 wheelman for 23XI Racing, but they’ll move forward as Toyota drivers. That’s what professionals do, and that’s what Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI Racing will expect of them over the rest of their respective campaigns.
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