Notorious Xfinity Series driver Aric Almirola’s audacious last-lap manoeuvre at the 2025 GovX 200 race at Phoenix Raceway has sparked a heated debate in the racing community, particularly with 26-time Cup Series driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Almirola’s high-octane finish in the race, involving a calculated nudge at Alex Bowman, may have thrilled spectators and commentators alike, but it has left Earnhardt Jr. wrestling with a complex dilemma.
Earnhardt Jr. is no stranger to the world of stock car racing. He is a co-owner of the CARS Tour Series, a renowned springboard for young, ambitious stock car drivers. Almirola’s controversial move, while exciting for onlookers, has raised concerns with Earnhardt Jr. about the potential influence it could have on the burgeoning drivers within his series.
However, a significant piece of Earnhardt Jr.’s confusion stems from his family heritage. His father, legendary NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, left an indelible mark on the sport. He was known for his aggressive driving style and audacious finishes, earning him 76 Cup Series race wins and seven championships. His infamous pass-in-the-grass move in 1987 and his notorious overtake of Terry Labonte in 1999 are testament to this legacy. This aggressive style of racing is what Earnhardt Jr. grew up admiring, but now, he finds himself questioning its merits.
On a recent episode of his podcast, ‘Dale Jr Download’, Earnhardt Jr. expressed his disapproval of Almirola’s tactics, fearing the impression it might leave on young and impressionable racers. He expressed concern that such moves might be perceived as commendable, potentially leading to a surge of aggressive racing tactics that could result in widespread frustration and disappointment.
Yet, Earnhardt Jr. cannot deny his own fondness for the aggressive racing methods that his father popularized. He confesses that he admired the fearless racers of the ’80s, who frequently engaged in racetrack conflicts and were not shy of a bit of ‘beat and bang’. While he insists that physical altercations are not a desirable part of modern racing, he admits that a little bit of contact and rivalry can add excitement to the sport.
Meanwhile, Aric Almirola, despite the recent controversy, has been setting the tracks ablaze. He has proven to be a formidable asset for Joe Gibbs in the NASCAR season, especially in the Xfinity series. After finishing third in Atlanta, he went on to secure a spectacular victory in Phoenix. What makes Almirola’s success story more impressive is the fact that he had no plans for a racing season until February 2025.
Almirola’s journey has been quite a roller-coaster ride. After retiring from full-time Cup Series racing in 2023, he joined JGR’s Xfinity program as a mentor in 2024, where he secured three wins in just 14 starts. He was informed about his 2025 assignment only a fortnight before Daytona, but Almirola has taken the opportunity in stride, expressing his joy and gratitude for the chance to race with his family.
Regardless of the debate surrounding his tactics, Aric Almirola has certainly made his presence felt on the tracks. Even Earnhardt Jr. had to acknowledge that Almirola’s last-lap move was a fitting tribute to the aggressive racing style of his father, the legendary Intimidator.
