Joe Gibbs’ Veteran ‘Chokes Up’ After Brushing Aside NASCAR Suspension With 7-Year Long Redemption

Aric Almirola and his pairing with Joe Gibbs Racing are settling some of his unfinished business in the Xfinity Series. The first one came with the win at Martinsville Speedway after being in the victory lane overcoming the 2007 Milwaukee Mile disappointment. And now, he's done it once again after his second Xfinity Series win of the season at Kansas Speedway.

In all fairness, Almirola's return to JGR has had its fair share of twists and turns. After the Martinsville comeback, the veteran driver was involved in a controversy surrounding his scuffle with Bubba Wallace. It almost looked like his run with JGR could be coming to a screeching halt, but thanks to Coach, he was allowed to continue his dream with the team.

Aric Almirola feels thankful to have continued his run with JGR Originally, the former SHR driver was scheduled to compete in 15 races on a part-time run for JGR. However, his alteration behind closed doors with Bubba Wallace derailed his run with the team. While there was no confirmation of a fight between the two drivers, JGR's decision to ban Almirola painted a good picture of the events that unfolded.

He wasn't featured driving the #20 car for the race at Charlotte, and his continued run with the team remained up in the air. Fortunately, he made his return to the team for the race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Which ultimately helped him script a redemption story with his first victory at Kansas Speedway yesterday. The 40-year-old driver sounded emotional while sharing his take on the emphatic win.

"Just happy for Seth, almost the entire team here with this group. It's our first time to victory lane. It honestly gets me a little choked up thinking about that, just being able to deliver that to this group of guys, being able to get them their first win. They deserve it; they've been bringing fast cars, so happy for them, happy for Coach, and just really grateful for this opportunity." Almirola said this to SiriusXM NASCAR.

This win in particular was special for the veteran driver, as in 2017 he was involved in a freak accident at this racetrack. He suffered a compression fracture of his T5 vertebra and had to be airlifted to the hospital. "2017, I helicoptered out of here with a broken back and to come back here seven years later and sit here in victory lane—that's only stuff God can do. I'm so grateful for all the opportunities guys have given me throughout my career and to be able to come back here at Joe Gibbs Racing and do what I'm doing, it's so gratifying," he added.

Not everyone was happy with Aric Almirola's win at Kansa, especially the playoffs driver who saw this win as a spoiler to their title hopes.

Cole Custer left frustrated after missing out on a potential win The first Xfinity playoff race didn't fare well for the top title contenders. The reigning series champion, Cole Custer, had the chance to go for back-to-back wins after his exploits in Bristol. However, his tussle with Chandler Smith late in the race opened the door for Almirola to mount a playoff spoiler and seized the opportunity with both hands.

With 10 laps to go in the race, Custer was trading blows with Chandler Smith for the win. After slipping and sliding, the #00 did manage to get clear of Smith. But this allowed Aric Almirola to gain on the two drivers and make his move for a late-race surprise. A win for Custer would have sealed his spot in the next round, but he will have to be content with the points for now.

"I think us and the 20 were pretty even. I think we just burned our tires up racing each other for the lead. The 81, he just couldn't run the wall on the long run. I don't know why, but he just couldn't. The wall was the place to be on the long run. I understand it's hard racing, but I don't race like that, so I don't expect to get raced like that. But now he races me like that; I race him like that." Custer said this after the race.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff race resumes at Talladega next weekend, and it might just prove to be a cracker like the Kansas.