Aric Almirola’s last-lap contact with Alex Bowman at Phoenix Raceway’s GOVX 200 ignited a heated debate across the NASCAR community.
Some fans accused the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) driver of intentional aggression, but $9 million-worth veteran Kenny Wallace shut that down fast.
“Almirola got loose,” Wallace asserted, breaking down the incident with the precision of a former driver.
The controversy overshadowed Almirola’s first win of the 2025 Xfinity season, a key redemption moment for the Florida native after a rocky return to JGR.
Kenny Wallace Defends Aric Almirola’s Phoenix Finish With Blunt Reality Check
The drama unfolded during overtime at Phoenix. A late caution set up a restart, with Bowman leading and Almirola trailing. On the final lap, Almirola’s No. 19 Toyota GR Supra wobbled coming out of Turn 4, clipped Bowman’s No. 17 Chevrolet, and sent him into the wall. Bowman finished second, just 0.045 seconds behind.
Fans flooded social media, accusing Almirola of a deliberate dump. Wallace, after reviewing the replay, wasn’t having it.
“Almirola got loose, and that’s what caused him to slam into Bowman,” he wrote on X.
The 61-year-old analyst, whose net worth sits at $9 million, emphasized mechanical over malicious intent.
Almirola got loose and that’s what caused him to slam into Bowman. https://t.co/cRNKOdtrme
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) March 9, 2025
Experts remained divided. NASCAR reporter Alan Cavanna described it as “a run to the checkered flag coming off Turn 4”, while analyst Jeff Gluck hinted at disrespectful driving. But Wallace dismissed the criticism, focusing on the competitive nature of the sport.
“The point is to win,” Cavanna added, echoing Wallace’s take.
There was nothing disrespectful about that. It wasn’t a right hook. It wasn’t a dump.
It was a run to the checkered flag coming off of turn 4
— Alan Cavanna (@AlanCavanna) March 9, 2025
For Almirola, the win marked a stark contrast to his 2024 suspension after a physical confrontation with Bubba Wallace.
“We resolved our issues,” Almirola said earlier this season, now focused on his nine-race JGR deal.
Almirola’s Rocky Road Back to Joe Gibbs Racing
Almirola’s 2025 return to JGR — his first full-time stint since 2008 — hasn’t been smooth. The 40-year-old’s part-time schedule includes sponsorship from Christian ministry “Young Life”, a tribute to late JGR co-founder Joe Gibbs.
“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 said.
Last season’s three wins in 14 starts earned him this opportunity, but scrutiny remains. The Phoenix controversy revived memories of his 2024 suspension, though JGR continues to back him.
“We’re off to a good start,” Almirola said, brushing aside the drama.
Bowman, meanwhile, took the high road.
“Bummer, but you’ll have that in big-time auto racing,” he said post-race, though fans demanded accountability.
Wallace’s defense reframed the debate: sometimes, chaos is just racing physics.
As the discussions rage on, Almirola remains locked in on winning.
“We’re trying to win the race,” he said — a mantra that, for better or worse, keeps him in the spotlight.