Sources: Aric Almirola suspended for physical altercation with Bubba Wallace

A physical altercation between Aric Almirola and Bubba Wallace is the reason Joe Gibbs Racing removed Almirola as driver of its No. 20 car for the May 25 Xfinity Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway and subsequently suspended him indefinitely, according to multiple industry sources familiar with the matter. The athlete.

The altercation occurred earlier in the week before the race in Charlotte during a weekly competition meeting attended by drivers from both JGR and 23XI Racing – Toyota supports both teams and there is a close technical alliance between them.

The exact reason for the dispute is unknown, but these sources said the team considered Almirola to be the instigator. As a result, the decision was made to suspend Almirola for the Charlotte race, for which he was originally listed as the driver of the No. 20 car.

On May 22, JGR removed Almirola from the entry list and replaced him with Ty Gibbs, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs. JGR did not disclose a reason for the change.

Ty Gibbs said he learned during the race weekend in Charlotte on the Wednesday of race week that he would be competing on Saturday. The athlete When Joe Gibbs asked after the race in Charlotte why his grandson drove and not Almirola, Gibbs said it was a “team decision.”

Almirola’s suspension is expected to be lifted soon, and sources familiar with the team’s plans say he is expected to return to the team on July 20 for the Xfinity race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Almirola returned to JGR’s Xfinity program this offseason after competing full-time for various teams in the Cup Series over the past 12 years, where he earned three wins in 460 career starts. Almirola previously drove for JGR in Xfinity for two seasons (2006-07). He was brought back to the team to serve as a mentor to JGR’s crop of young drivers.

Almirola drove in five Xfinity races for JGR in the 2024 season, with a best finish of first (Martinsville). Gibbs drove the car to ninth place at Charlotte after setting the fastest time in qualifying.

Christopher Bell last drove the No. 20 car and won the Xfinity race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last Saturday.

(Photo by Aric Almirola: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)