Huntersville, N.C. (February 17, 2025) – Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announces that Aric Almirola will return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series for nine races in 2025 behind the wheel of the No. 19 Young Life Toyota GR Supra starting this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Young Life (younglife.org) is a global, Christ-centered ministry devoted to building bridges of authentic friendship, introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ, and helping youth grow in their faith. Staff and volunteers enter the world of kids, focusing on what matters to them – fun, adventure, friendship, and a sense of significance.
“I am thrilled for Young Life and JGR to be partnering this season. It’s Young Life’s goal and ministry to reach and know kids by name, engage them with fun and adventure, and introduce them to Jesus Christ,” said Newt Crenshaw, president and CEO of Young Life. “This partnership is playing a part in making that happen, as we’ll be poised to reach more kids, make a lasting impact, and show them the love and excitement that both racing and faith can offer.”
Young Life was a lifelong passion for J.D. Gibbs, who served on the ministry’s national board before his passing in January 2019. The J.D. Gibbs Legacy Fund (jdgibbslegacy.com) was established to honor J.D. and support Young Life with its continued mission in youth ministry.
“I’m excited to have this opportunity to get behind the wheel again and have Young Life represented on the car with me,” said Almirola. “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.”
Almirola is certainly no newcomer to JGR, having started his career racing Late Models with the team in 2004. He made his Xfinity Series debut for JGR in 2006 driving a partial schedule across the next two seasons before leaving to pursue a full-time Cup Series ride. The veteran driver earned three Cup Series wins while competing full-time across 12 seasons before deciding to step away from full-time competition following the 2023 season to spend more time with his family.
The Tampa, Florida, native returned to JGR with a partial schedule in 2024 and captured three wins, eight top-five finishes, and nine top-10s across 14 Xfinity Series races with the team. One of the wins last season was at Kansas Speedway with crew chief Seth Chavka, who will oversee the No. 19 team in 2025.
“The ministry of Young Life has played a key role in my life and my entire family’s lives and was also a huge part of my friendship with J.D. Gibbs,” said Dave Alpern, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. “To see that ministry highlighted on one of our race cars is an incredible blessing to me and everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing.”
This Young Life sponsorship was made possible through a generous donation.
About Joe Gibbs Racing:
Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR with four NASCAR Cup Series teams, four NASCAR Xfinity Series teams, and a driver development program. JGR is based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Joe Gibbs, who also earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was named as one of the NFL’s top 10 coaches of all-time with a winning career that included three Super Bowl Championships as head coach of the Washington franchise.
JGR has competed in NASCAR since 1992, capturing more than 425 wins over that span. No team has more combined wins across the sport’s three national series in the history of NASCAR. In addition, JGR has won five Cup Series championships along with four Xfinity Series driver championships and six Xfinity Series owner’s championships.
The organization also has captured four Daytona 500 titles, considered to be NASCAR’s premier event each season.
About Young Life:
Young Life is a mission devoted to introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith. The organization has a presence in all 50 of the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world, and reaches adolescents in middle school, high school, and college to offer fun, friendship, and Christ’s love.
Source: Joe Gibbs Racing
