Aric Almirola finds “function” in NASCAR mentor function at JGR

Almirola, 39, determined to retire as a full-time Cup Sequence driver on the finish of the 2023 season, having spent the previous six years with Stewart-Haas Racing.

It wasn’t lengthy after he got here to his choice that he was approached by Joe Gibbs Racing proprietor Joe Gibbs about returning to the group the place his NASCAR profession started practically 20 years in the past.

Gibbs thought Almirola could be a superb function mannequin and mentor for JGR’s rising cache of youthful drivers, however he additionally wished him to compete within the Xfinity Sequence – as a full-time driver the truth is.

“Coach first requested me about racing full-time,” Almirola recalled Wednesday at JGR. “I informed him, ‘I don’t assume I can inform Janice (his spouse) I’m retiring from full-time racing to go full-time racing.’

“So, we talked by that and we sort of settled on what could be very best for me, which was about 15 races.”

However along with competing this season with one of many prime Xfinity organizations within the sport, Almirola discovered the function as driver coach and mentor particularly engaging.

And he’s wasted no time getting proper to work.

“I’ve spent a whole lot of the time already with the drivers individually away from the store after which additionally right here on the store. Simply constructing that relationship with them and being a guiding gentle for them,” Almirola stated.

“I’m definitely not going to inform them how one can drive a race automotive. They’re all distinctive and they’re all proficient they usually all have their very own driving fashion. I bear in mind after I was a child, I wished info and I wished to have the ability to ask questions.”

The function of mentor

Almirola had alternatives over his profession to hunt counsel from a number of Corridor of Famers, together with Tony Stewart, Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson. He believes these relationships had been pivotal to his longevity and want to present comparable help.

“Not that I’m prideful, however I really feel a way of delight in figuring out I get to assist. It offers me function. It offers me a possibility to take what I’ve carried out for the final 20 years and attempt to velocity up the educational curve for these guys or assist them make one much less mistake than I did,” Almirola stated.

“Even on a private facet, simply serving to them navigate life and that work/life steadiness and what that appears like. I bear in mind myself sitting of their footwear and I bear in mind how a lot it meant to me when any individual provided recommendation or provided to assist or inspired me.

“These are essential issues for a race automotive driver.”

Almirola’s new function comes as JGR finds itself with a big contingent of younger drivers this season, to not point out its Cup drivers Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs, who’re each of their 20s.

The group will subject 4 full-time Xfinity groups this season in addition to an ARCA program.

Sheldon Creed and Chandler Smith will compete full-time in Xfinity whereas the opposite two groups will make the most of a number of drivers together with Almirola, John Hunter Nemechek, Joe Graf Jr., William Sawalich, Taylor Grey and Ryan Truex.

Exterior of Almriola, the oldest driver within the group is Truex, 33. The remaining vary in age from 17 (Sawalich) to 26 (Nemechek).

Regardless of having not but turned a lap on observe, Steve de Souza, JGR’s government vice chairman for Xfinity Sequence/improvement, stated Almirola’s addition has already been felt within the group.

“He’s already met with all of our drivers and we’re creating an agenda now for him in our driver’s conferences,” de Souza stated of Almirola’s involvement. “What he has realized and what he’s been so distinctive in, will not be solely on the observe however off the observe as an individual.

“As we name know, with the social and digital media at present, it’s so vital that you simply play the elements proper on that. He’s carried out a extremely, actually good job and units a superb instance for our drivers.”

Almirola stated he has all the time approached a brand new NASCAR season with enthusiasm and the prospect for “new alternatives and new challenges.”

This one, he admits, is a bit more particular.

“I’m as enthusiastic about this 12 months as I’ve been in an extended, very long time,” he stated. “That is simply totally different by having the chance to concentrate on extra than simply myself.”