Aric Almirola took center stage Friday night at Bristol Motor Speedway, holding off a hard-charging field to claim the NASCAR Xfinity Series Food City 300 victory. The Tampa, Florida-native secured his ninth career Xfinity win and second of the 2025 season, outlasting playoff contenders and the HAAS Factory Racing teammates who pushed hard late in the 300-lap event. Fans reacted strongly online, highlighting both admiration for Almirola’s skill and frustration at the lack of breakthrough performances from younger drivers in the series’ most competitive race of the weekend.
Key Highlights
Aric Almirola wins the Food City 300, his ninth career Xfinity victory.
Sheldon Creed finishes second, marking his 15th runner-up in Xfinity without a win.
Sam Mayer secures third, while Connor Zilisch notches his 26th top-five of 2025.
Justin Allgaier leads early but fades in the final stage after pitting for tires.
Multiple cautions influence late-race strategy and playoff standings, including spins by Carson Ware and Taylor Gray.
Almirola’s Late-Race Mastery
Almirola relied on experience and calculated strategy to hold off HAAS Factory Racing challengers.
“I’ve just been tired of getting beat by those guys. I figured I’d try my chances with the lead. They’ve been so fast and they fire off so fast on new tires and I just didn’t think I could beat them straight up on new tires,” – Aric Almirola
He and crew chief Seth Chavka observed previous Bristol strategies, including Noah Gragson’s past success staying out on old tires for long runs. That patience paid off in the final 40 laps as Almirola maintained the lead despite heavy pressure from Creed and Mayer.
Intense Early Action and Stage Battles
Justin Allgaier jumped to an early lead from pole, fending off Sam Mayer and setting the pace through the first stage. A lap-12 caution for Kyle Sieg’s spin and contact with Ryan Ellis briefly reshuffled the order. Stage one concluded with Allgaier holding the lead over Connor Zilisch after Jesse Love slid in turn 2, setting up the first stage victory for Allgaier.
Stage two featured a tight battle between Mayer and Zilisch, with Zilisch overtaking Mayer on the final lap to win the stage. Almirola steadily worked through the field during this period, positioning himself for a decisive run in the final 100 laps.
Final Stage Drama and Fan Reactions
Almirola overtook Zilisch and Mayer as late-race cautions shook up the field. Key incidents included Carson Ware spinning and Taylor Gray causing another caution on the frontstretch. Many leaders pitted strategically, allowing Almirola to reclaim the top spot and defend through repeated restarts. Despite aggressive moves by Mayer and Creed, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver maintained composure.
Fans expressed mixed reactions online, reflecting both excitement and tension:
“SILVER CREED!”
“It looked like the aggressive driver was handling traffic much better than others. Hard to pass when the brakes aren’t trustworthy.”
“Top 10 finish for that car! Solid result.” – NASCAR fans’ reaction
Key Playoff Implications
The Food City 300’s results impact the Xfinity Series playoff standings. Almirola’s win strengthens Joe Gibbs Racing’s owners’ championship pursuit, while playoff drivers like Brandon Jones, Nick Sanchez, and Austin Hill finished outside the top 10. Zilisch’s fifth-place finish tied him with Sam Ard for the most consecutive top-five finishes in series history, further cementing his consistency. Creed’s runner-up adds to his record for most second-place finishes without a win, highlighting ongoing frustration for the Alpine, California-native.
News in Brief: NASCAR Fans Sound Off After Intense Bristol Xfinity Race
Aric Almirola captured the Food City 300 at Bristol, holding off Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer to earn his ninth career Xfinity win and second of 2025. Zilisch’s fifth-place finish ties Sam Ard’s record for consecutive top-fives, while multiple cautions shaped late-race strategy. Fans praised Almirola’s composure and criticized veteran dominance in the series, noting strong performances and challenges for younger drivers. The race featured spins by Carson Ware and Taylor Gray, stage wins for Allgaier and Zilisch, and playoff implications for several contenders.
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