HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. Aric Almirola will return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series this year for nine races behind the wheel of the No.19 Young Life Toyota GR Supra with Joe Gibbs Racing starting this week at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

I am thrilled for Young Life and JGR to be partnering this season. Its Young Lifes 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 well 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 ministrys national board before his passing in January 2019. The J.D. Gibbs Legacy Fund was established to honor J.D. and support Young Life with its continued mission in youth ministry.

Im 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 would earn three Cup Series wins while competing full-time across 12 seasons before deciding to step away from the Cup Series following the 2023 season to spend more time with his family.

The Tampa, Florida native returned to JGR with a partial schedule in 2024 capturing two wins, eight top-five, and nine top-10 finishes across 14 NASCAR Xfinity races with the team. One of those two wins last season was in Kansas with crew chief Seth Chavka, who will be in charge of the No.19 team in 2025.

The ministry of Young Life has played a key role in my life and my entire families 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.