Aric Almirola wins Bristol Xfinity race at the Food City 300, outpacing Sheldon Creed to capture another pivotal victory on Friday, September 12, 2025 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The outcome prevents Creed from achieving his first series win, as Almirola’s consistent performance led him to lead the decisive final laps in this opening event of the Round of 12.
Almirola Outpaces the Field at Bristol
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Aric Almirola started the 300-lap competition from the third position, recording a qualifying time of 15.947 seconds and hitting top speeds of 120.324 mph. In contrast, Sheldon Creed began in tenth place, logging a 16.057-second lap and reaching 119.499 mph. Stage one saw both drivers lose ground: Almirola ended sixth behind Jesse Love, while Creed finished 24th after dropping several spots. However, as the race progressed, Almirola surged to the front and controlled the closing laps, effectively shutting down Creed’s effort to earn his first series win of the year.
Almirola, piloting the #19 Toyota, achieved his ninth career Xfinity Series win at Bristol Motor Speedway. Meanwhile, Sheldon Creed, representing the Haas Factory Team, secured his 15th runner-up finish in the series but remains without a victory. Notably, the competitive battle underscored the strong field present in the race, with recurring names like Jesse Love and Creed making key appearances at the front.
Series Points Landscape Shifts
Connor Zilisch now leads the Xfinity Series standings, followed closely by teammate Justin Allgaier. With his strong finish, Creed climbed two positions in the rankings and now sits seventh overall, accumulating six top-five results and 13 top-ten finishes in 27 starts this season. The revised standings reflect the intensity among this year’s top contenders and highlight the championship battle as the season advances.
Almirola’s Racing Journey and Return to JGR
Aric Almirola, previously a mainstay in NASCAR’s top division with Stewart-Haas Racing from 2018 through 2023, parted ways with the team following the end of last season. Transitioning to the Xfinity Series in 2024, he joined Joe Gibbs Racing as a part-time competitor, notching three victories last year—one at Kansas Speedway and a pair at Martinsville Speedway.
This season marks another successful campaign for Almirola, who has already collected two wins. Speaking about his renewed partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing and the sponsorship of Young Life, Almirola remarked:
“I’m excited to have this opportunity to get behind the wheel again and have Young Life represented on the car with me.”
—Aric Almirola, Former Cup Series Driver
“I know Young Life was a central focus in the life of my friend J.D. Gibbs, and it means so much to me to have this opportunity to bring awareness to the great work they do introducing Christ to young people all over the world,”
he added. —Aric Almirola, Former Cup Series Driver
Currently holding 21st place in the Xfinity Series points standings, Almirola has garnered two wins, five top-five finishes, and eight top-tens from just 12 starts this season, showcasing both consistency and flashes of top-tier form in his return.
Looking Ahead in the Xfinity Series
With Almirola’s recent triumph and Creed’s continued search for his first win, the competitive energy surrounding the Xfinity Series intensifies heading into the remaining Round of 12 events. The latest shake-up in the leaderboard further emphasizes the stakes for contenders like Connor Zilisch, Justin Allgaier, and Jesse Love, who are vying for championship momentum. Fans and teams alike will watch closely as the season progresses, recognizing the impact of milestone victories, career-best performances, and shifting dynamics within top organizations like Joe Gibbs Racing and the Haas Factory Team.
