Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Aric Almirola has found ‘pride and new purpose’ with JGR after exiting SHR

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Justin P Joy | Last updated 1/28/24

Aric Almirola announced his retirement from full-time racing at the end of the 2023 season. He later joined Joe Gibbs Racing as a part-time Xfinity Series driver. The 39-year-old believes he still has a lot to offer towards the sport and has found his new purpose at JGR as a mentor for the upcoming Toyota racing prodigies.

Aric Almirola drove part-time for JGR from 2005 to 2007 in the No: 18, 19, and 20 entries. From his 25 starts with the team, he has won one event and secured a top-10 finish on four occasions, all coming in 2007, his final year with them. His last race was that year’s season finale at Homestead, where he secured a P15.

The ex-Cup race winner pointed out that he is proud to mentor the upcoming talents, and he has found his new purpose via the new role. He sees it as an opportunity to share the wisdom he has gained from the last 20 years as a racer and share it with the youngsters to speed up their progress.

Not that I am prideful, but I feel a sense of pride in knowing I get to help. It gives me purpose. It gives me an opportunity to take what I’ve done for the last 20 years and try to speed up the learning curve for these guys or help them make one less mistake than I did. Almirola said. as reported by Motorsports.com.

Aric Almirola is also a life coach for the JGR youngsters

Almirola said he is more than just a racing mentor for the young racers. He is also advising them on balancing their work and personal life, which is essential. The veteran is doing things and giving advice, which he wanted to have from his seniors when he was a prodigy.

Even on a personal side, just helping them navigate life and that work/life balance and what that looks like. I remember myself sitting in their shoes and I remember how much it meant to me when somebody offered advice or offered to help or encouraged me. Those are very important things for a race car driver.

He has already spent much time with his JGR teammate at the race shop as well as outside, talking to them and learning about their needs. He plans to be available for the drivers whenever they need to clear doubts instead of being someone who advises them on how to race.