Aric Almirola Drives to DoorDash 250 Win at Sonoma

Aric Almirola celebrates a shocking Sonoma victory on Saturday afternoon. (Photo: Cornnell Chu | The Podium Finish)

SONOMA, Calif. – Aric Almirola has to be feeling like a rockstar following Saturday’s DoorDash 250 at Sonoma Raceway.

Almirola, one of seven full-time NASCAR Cup Series drivers competing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series’ inaugural race at the 1.99-mile, 12-turn road course, was not so sure about his chances ahead of the 79-lap race.

Then again, the Tampa, Florida native had to like his chances especially when qualified in fourth in his No. 28 Michael Roberts Construction Ford Mustang. By far, his car was among the consistent frontrunners despite the race seemingly in the hands of his fellow Cup comrade in Kyle Larson.

Larson, who started from the pole position in his No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro, was the class of the field. Making his second NASCAR XFINITY Series start of the season, Larson swept Stages 1 and 2 with commanding margins over AJ Allmendinger’s No. 16 Gabriel Glas Chevrolet Camaro.

Throughout the race, Larson built leads up to 12 seconds ahead of Allmendinger, making the NASCAR XFINITY Series event into more of a battle for best in class with second place. By far, Allmendinger had to fend off Almirola and Ty Gibbs, squaring off and unafraid to extend his elbows at the braking zones.

Meanwhile, Larson had the race essentially in the bag, executing smooth laps and restarts in a race slowed by only two caution flags. Otherwise, it seemed like it would have taken an act of sheer fortune for another driver to capitalize at Sonoma.

When Jeffrey Earnhardt’s No. 45 Chevrolet brought out the caution for a Turn 10 incident on Lap 62, the majority of the lead lap contenders pitted for four fresh tires and fuel, including Larson, Allmendinger and Gibbs.

On the other hand, Almirola and his No. 28 RSS Racing team decided to roll the dice, opting for track position over settling for a top five result. Inheriting the lead with 15 laps remaining, the stock car veteran had his hands full trying to hold off Larson and Allmendinger.

Kyle Larson was the class of the field before a caution with 18 laps to go. (Photo: Cornnell Chu | The Podium Finish)

In the waning moments, Larson and Allmendinger squared off in an intense battle for second as the latter attempted to pinch and make life a bit difficult on the former. Eventually, Larson worked his way past Allmendinger and set his sights on catching and passing Almirola.

With just a few car lengths separating Almirola and Larson within the race’s final 10 laps, it seemed inevitable that the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion would find a way past the Ford stalwart.

Instead, Larson made an unforced error in Turn 11, hitting a tire barrier and knocking the toe out of position with his right front tire. Immediately, Larson relinquished the second position as Allmendinger scooted by.

All in all, Almirola capitalized on Larson’s gaffe, driving to a 1.868 second victory over Allmendinger. Following the customary burnout near the stripe, Almirola celebrated like it was 1999.

“This is so special,” Almirola said. “It’s hard to explain. I know it’s an Xfinity win. It’s not a Cup win, but after COTA I told Davin and Drew, I was like, ‘Man, I really don’t think I should run anymore road course races in the Xfinity car. It makes me look like a wanker and I lose self-confidence going into Sunday.’

“But I knew that this racetrack, this is one I can run good at. I’ve run good here my whole career. I don’t know what it is about this place, but I love racing here. I’m just so thankful to everybody on this race team.”

Even with Larson’s mistake notwithstanding, Almirola staved off Larson with smart, smooth driving, making blocks like an antivirus program protecting computers.

“I was looking in my rearview mirror a lot, just trying to make sure that I could maintain the gap,” he said. “Larson was certainly the class of the field, so to have the lead and get some clean air, I knew that if I just put some clean laps together I was gonna make it tough for him to get by me.

“A great race car. We made a lot of adjustments throughout the race to make it better and better and finally there at the end it was at its best.”

On the flip side, Larson’s best was in the race’s opening 61 laps. Much like Michael Andretti in the 1992 Indianapolis 500, a dominant performance was essentially erased with a late race shakeup.

“I just got too greedy,” Larson said. “If you could get your rights below the rumbles and into the paint, it’s a lot of grip. I got it good a couple of times. I was kind of tucked up behind him and I clipped the tire and knocked the wheel out of my hand. After that, the toe was off, so I was really tight on the lefts and then really loose on the rights

“So I couldn’t make runs at it. I hate it for Kevin Mendeering and everybody. They deserve a win so bad with this No. 17 car. Between all of us, we’ve all found ways to lose. I’m just really mad at myself right now but proud of the car they brought.”

Despite making a rare Xfinity Series start, Larson wanted to cash in for Hendrick’s program in this division. He tipped his cap to Almirola and pointed out to the great, defensive driving by the race winner.

“Congrats to Aric,” he said. “He did a really job out in front of me, hitting his marks. He could kind of get away from me in a couple of important areas and make me have to work hard behind him. Hats off to him and that team. I’m just bummed and mad at myself.”

Even for a Cup regular like Almirola, wins are special and significant. In this case, he will likely remember his DoorDash 250 win considering the tough competition he faced off against in the 79-lap event.

Almirola shined bright like a diamond. (Photo: Cornnell Chu | The Podium Finish)

“These races are hard to win and you’re going against the best,” Almirola said. “You’re going against Kyle Larson and Allmendinger, Ty Gibbs. It was a stacked field for the Xfinity race and I’m just so proud to go to Victory Lane here.”

Stage 1 Top 10 Finishers

1. Kyle Larson
2. AJ Allmemdinger
3. Aric Almirola
4. Justin Allgaier
5. Ty Gibbs
6. Daniel Hemric
7. Sam Mayer
8. Parker Kligerman
9. Sheldon Creed
10. Sammy Smith

Stage 2 Top 10 Finishers

1. Kyle Larson
2. AJ Allmendinger
3. Ty Gibbs
4. Justin Allgaier
5. Sheldon Creed
6. Aric Almirola
7. John Hunter Nemechek
8. Riley Herbst
9. Parker Kligerman
10. Sam Mayer

DoorDash 250 at Sonoma Raceway Finishing Order