Joe Gibbs Racing Xfinity Talladega ambitions are front and center as the team prepares a multi-car assault on the iconic superspeedway, hoping to leverage its rich history and strong driver lineup to secure more victories this season. With drivers like William Sawalich, Aric Almirola, Brandon Jones, and Taylor Gray all bringing recent momentum, the team enters the Talladega round energized and determined.
JGR’s Track Record and Veteran Pedigree at Talladega
Since joining the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Joe Gibbs Racing has become a formidable force at Talladega Superspeedway, building an impressive record over 84 starts that includes five wins from drivers such as Mike McLaughlin, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, and Elliott Sadler. The team boasts 20 top-five and 31 top-10 finishes at this unique Alabama venue, with their cars leading a total of 413 laps and earning five poles, showcasing consistent competitiveness at one of the sport’s most challenging tracks.
William Sawalich Seeks Redemption in the No. 18
William Sawalich, piloting the No. 18 SoundGear Toyota GR Supra, is eager for a turnaround in his Xfinity journey at Talladega after a debut cut short by mechanical trouble, resulting in a 37th-place finish earlier this year. Sawalich is no stranger to Talladega speed, earning his first career NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series pole at the same track and securing a ninth-place result in his ARCA Menards Series attempt at the oval. Sawalich’s ARCA Menards Series East accomplishments include back-to-back championships, with seven race wins and 15 top-five finishes across two seasons—making him the first from Minnesota to win the series title.
Guiding Sawalich’s rookie campaign is veteran crew chief Jeff Meendering, a strategist who has reached Xfinity’s Victory Lane 10 times and accumulated notable stats: 79 top-fives, 156 top-10s, and 17 pole awards, his recent triumph with Chandler Smith at Richmond underlining his ongoing relevance. The partnership offers both energy and experience as Sawalich works to translate short-track and ARCA success into Xfinity results at Talladega.
SoundGear, the primary backer, aligns innovative hearing protection with motorsports, offering tailored products for diverse, high-noise environments. Developed by Starkey, a leader in the hearing health care industry with a global presence based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, SoundGear’s technology adds a unique edge to the Sawalich-Toyota collaboration.
Aric Almirola and the No. 19 Team Target Another Triumph
Aric Almirola arrives at Talladega amid a career resurgence, guiding the No. 19 Young Life Toyota GR Supra to three Xfinity Series checkered flags already this season—including recent conquests at Las Vegas and Bristol. In his Las Vegas win, Almirola demonstrated dominance by leading over one hundred laps and winning both stages, confirming his prowess on 1.5-mile ovals, and earning the team a spot in the Xfinity Series Owners’ Championship final four for a second consecutive year.
Earlier in the season, Almirola started strong at Talladega, qualifying 17th and running as high as third at the end of stage two, but his race was derailed by a late incident, ending in 33rd place. Buoyed by his Vegas sweep and playoff security, Almirola has refocused efforts toward the Owners’ Championship, joined in recent races by teammates like Justin Bonsignore, Riley Herbst, Jack Perkins, Ty Gibbs, Chase Briscoe, and Christopher Bell. The No. 19 team has cemented its status as a title contender with these three season wins and strategic consistency.
Crew chief Seth Chavka steers the No. 19 effort, concluding his own rookie season in the lead role after a prior part-time stint. Working with a variety of drivers in 2024, Chavka celebrated a win at Kansas with Almirola in the No. 20 and led victories at Phoenix and Bristol this season, continuing to build a foundation of versatility and adaptability on the pit box. The car’s main sponsor, Young Life, is an organization devoted to introducing youth to Christian values, reaching teenagers across the United States and in over one hundred countries through faith-based programs and outreach events.
Brandon Jones Presses Playoff Hopes in Little Hug/Menards No. 20
Brandon Jones heads into Talladega seeking to strengthen his playoff position, currently holding fifth place and just eight points shy of advancing further in the Xfinity Series standings. With 14 Xfinity starts at the superspeedway, Jones has notched three top-five and four top-10 finishes and has led 63 laps, highlighting his ability to contend at NASCAR’s fastest oval. Despite starting 16th and leading eight laps last spring, Jones faced misfortune following late-race damage, ending in 28th. His recent Las Vegas outing saw him rebound from a punctured tire to an 11th in stage two before settling for 13th at the checkered flag.
Jones benefits from Sam McAulay’s leadership atop the pit box in 2025. McAulay’s background includes guiding Sheldon Creed to consistent front-of-the-pack performances last season, including a Darlington win and further success with Jones at Kansas. McAulay’s resume now features 22 top-five finishes, 34 top-10s, and two Xfinity wins as crew chief, giving Jones a strategic advantage for the crucial playoff push.
His sponsors bring heritage and family appeal. Menards, a staple of Midwestern home improvement retailing for more than six decades and operating over 300 U.S. stores, continues a longstanding partnership now in its eleventh year with Jones. Little Hug adds a sense of nostalgia and fun, offering fruit drinks recognized for colorful barrels and kid-friendly flavors, sustaining popularity across generations and complimenting Jones’s family-friendly brand image.
Taylor Gray Looks to Break Through with Operation 300
Taylor Gray, carrying the Operation 300 banner on the No. 54 Toyota GR Supra, aims for a breakthrough at Talladega after three Xfinity starts at the venue, including his personal best of 11th place earlier this season. Gray has also displayed speed in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, finishing second in a close 2023 fall race, missing victory by just 0.041 seconds.
Gray’s recent form includes a strong eighth-place run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, his 13th top-10 this year, demonstrating consistency during a competitive season. He is backed by legendary crew chief Jason Ratcliff, whose 57 career Xfinity wins—most in series history—include a Talladega victory with Kyle Busch in 2011, adding deep expertise to Gray’s campaign.
The Operation 300 initiative, meanwhile, underscores the significance JGR places on meaningful partnerships and giving back beyond the racetrack.
The Significance and What Lies Ahead for JGR at Talladega
With a powerful lineup led by drivers like Aric Almirola, William Sawalich, Brandon Jones, and Taylor Gray, along with veteran crew chiefs such as Jeff Meendering, Seth Chavka, Sam McAulay, and Jason Ratcliff, Joe Gibbs Racing approaches Talladega Superspeedway with both historic pedigree and present-day momentum. As seasoned competitors and emerging talents converge, JGR’s pursuit at Talladega is not just about individual glory but the chase for Xfinity Series Owners’ Championship success—a quest shaped by teamwork, strategic partnerships, and resilience across every lap.
Strong recent results and playoff stakes amplify the energy within the organization, as JGR aims to add to its five previous Talladega victories and continue building a legacy at one of NASCAR’s most storied circuits. The outcome at Talladega will play a crucial role in determining the Xfinity Series title landscape and could be a defining moment in the season’s march toward the championship finale.
