Joe Gibbs Racing secured its seventh Xfinity Series owner’s championship after Aric Almirola claimed second place with a critical late-race move at Phoenix Raceway, concluding the 2025 season on Saturday. The triumph underscores the strength of the Joe Gibbs Racing championship campaign, powered by the No. 19 team’s winning performance and consistent finishes throughout the year.
Aric Almirola Anchors Team Success in Final Laps
Aric Almirola emerged as the key driver for Joe Gibbs Racing in the series finale, making a decisive pass in the closing laps to lock in the owner’s championship title. Throughout the 2025 season, the No. 19 team tallied three victories, reached the top five on ten occasions, and scored thirteen top-ten results, demonstrating both persistence and adaptability.
Almirola’s performance at Phoenix was pivotal as he navigated considerable car challenges and fierce competition to stay in contention for the championship. His determined approach, backed by the efforts of crew chief Seth Chavka and the entire team, paid off during the crucial restart that set the stage for the championship outcome.
“What an absolute fight. Our car was not good to start. We had to just keep swinging at it. We were making huge adjustments, and those guys were just firing off so much better than me and I just couldn’t keep pace and finally Seth Chavka (crew chief) and the guys just kept swinging at it and swinging at it with huge adjustments and we finally got it decent to where I could maintain and keep pace with those guys. That restart was key to be able to get to third and try and keep pace with the 88 (Connor Zilisch). I knew I wasn’t racing the 2 (Jesse Love). I just knew that I needed to stay close enough that if the 2 got by the 88 then I could run him down and go and get by him for the owner’s championship. I’m just so proud. J.D. Gibbs name is on this car. Coy Gibbs name is on this car. This is not about me. This about a team. Coach Gibbs talks all the time about winning with people and this is about a lot of people at Joe Gibbs Racing. This is an owner’s championship. It has nothing to do with Aric Almirola. I was the lucky guy to be behind the wheel for a few of the wins and to get the championship tonight, but it is a team effort. I’m just so thankful for Coach and J.D. and the Gibbs family and Toyota, Young Life. Oh my gosh. This is really, really awesome. I’ve never won a championship. This is my first championship and again like I said, this isn’t about me, but I was a part of this and I’m just so proud of our organization and everybody that helps us and supports us. Praise God. This is pretty awesome.”
– Aric Almirola, No. 19 Young Life Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing
Outstanding Results for JGR Teammate Brandon Jones
Brandon Jones also proved instrumental for Joe Gibbs Racing, securing a fourth-place finish at Phoenix after starting the race from the pole. Jones displayed strong pace, leading 10 laps and maintaining a competitive position throughout, cementing his contribution to the team’s owner’s championship quest.
Reflecting on the season and his performance, Jones commented on the final pit stop’s significance and his ongoing development as a driver. His commitment extended to the team’s preparation for the final race and the work that shaped their season results.
“Yeah. I’m glad that worked out because the alternative was that everybody else had a set laying, I think right at the end. I didn’t want to see a caution come out because I wanted to take advantage of the tire there at the end. My only little weakness here was just firing off. I just never could really go forward. I could maintain okay on some restarts but never could take advantage and go forward and that was really the difference maker today. At the end of that run we were the fastest car for the majority of the end. Just kind of out of track position and ran out of time. These guys worked really hard. I know this was a car really being prepared for the Final 4 and we expected to go to the Final 4 today. It would’ve been hard to beat those guys. I think that we would’ve ran probably identical to what we did today so we would’ve still probably come up a little bit short but still it’s a career best for me in I think fifth in points. So there’s a lot that got checked off the bucket list for me. I really wanted to qualify good here. That’s been a weakness of mine the last couple of races at this track. We sat on the pole today and so it was a great day for Magicwood’s and Menards and everyone else that supports us. I think that we’re going to be the hardest working team this offseason and coming out of the gate in 2026 swinging pretty hard, so I’m excited about it. I wouldn’t want to work with anybody else in this garage. I love these guys. We’ll continue to just I guess explore all of the weaknesses that we had this year and use up the simulators and do everything that we can this offseason to figure out how we can come out and maybe have a year where some of these guys had with a lot of wins.”
– Brandon Jones, No. 20 Menards/Magicwood Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing
Phoenix Raceway Results Highlight Competitive Field
The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series wrapped up at Phoenix Raceway with a field that saw numerous Toyota drivers finishing in strong positions. Jesse Love clinched the victory, followed by Aric Almirola and Connor Zilisch. Notably, JGR’s Taylor Gray finished seventh, and Justin Bonsignore made it into the top ten with a tenth-place finish. Dean Thompson completed the race in seventeenth place, contributing to a well-rounded performance for Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota-affiliated teams.
The season finale featured 200 laps around the Arizona track, demanding strategic execution from teams during pit stops and restarts. Brandon Jones managed to claim the pole position and lead for ten laps, capitalizing on early race strategy but ultimately settling for a top-five finish due to track position in the event’s closing stages.
Teamwork and Leadership Central to JGR Victory
The Joe Gibbs Racing championship campaign was marked by collaboration among drivers, crew members, and organizational leaders. Aric Almirola credited the legacy of J.D. Gibbs, Coy Gibbs, and Coach Gibbs for instilling a team-oriented vision focused on collective achievement rather than individual accolades. This perspective shaped the No. 19 team’s approach throughout the season and in the decisive Phoenix race.
The contributions of key figures—such as crew chief Seth Chavka—were especially noticeable as the team made major adjustments during the race to get the car into fighting shape. The effective teamwork allowed JGR to overcome initial performance struggles and seize the owner’s title at the finish line.
Almirola’s acknowledgment of the broader support system, including longtime partners like Toyota and Young Life, reaffirmed the championship’s significance within the NASCAR community and for the Joe Gibbs Racing organization. The dedication of sponsors, mechanics, and engineers was central to building a reliable, fast car each weekend.
Looking Ahead as Joe Gibbs Racing Builds on Success
With their seventh Xfinity Series owner’s championship secured, Joe Gibbs Racing sets its sights on maintaining momentum into the next season. Brandon Jones expressed determination for ongoing improvement and utilizing off-season resources such as simulators and team analysis to refine their approach for 2026.
The 2025 season finale at Phoenix Raceway showcased the emerging talents, team cohesiveness, and strategic decision-making crucial to sustained NASCAR success. As the team reflects on this historic accomplishment, the anticipation for further title runs grows within the Joe Gibbs Racing camp, bolstered by a blend of seasoned leadership and fresh ambition.
