Almirola Should Leave Joe Gibbs Racing

UPDATE: Denny Hamlin ended up winning tonight's AT&T 250 at Milwaukee, but he's not going to get credit. Aric Almirola officially won his first race, despite only running 59 laps.

I'd imagine Almirola was ready to win that first one, but he's gotta be severely ticked that he didn't get to personally do it.

I really feel for Almirola -- a victim of money, not racing.

Original: Joe Gibbs Racing doesn't respect their employees. Or at least one.

Denny Hamlin was supposed to be in tonight's Busch Series race. Aric Almirola, Joe Gibbs Racing Busch Series driver was nominated to practice and qualify the No. 20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet at Milwaukee in preparation for Hamlin who was in Sonoma for tomorrow's Cup race.

Hamlin did indeed get into the No. 20 car, but his entrance could win Joe Gibbs Racing the "Biggest Jackass of the Year" award. Or, more importantly, it should be created in their honor.
The problem began when Denny Hamlin was late for the second time in the day. As he was arriving over the track in a helicopter, cars had parked on the helipad, blocking any chance for Hamlin to land at the track.

As Hamlin flew back to the airport, the race got under way, with Almirola starting the race from the pole (where he qualified earlier) because Hamlin wasn't available. Denny arrived at the track around ten laps into the race via police escort, irritated he couldn't land but understanding that Almirola had the reigns.

"I think Aric will do a great job. Taking him out of the car would be disrespectful," said Hamlin.

He, apparently, was the only JGR employee to feel that way.

Hamlin then ventured down to Steven Wallace's No. 66 pit box, ready to replace an ailing Wallace. That opportunity closed when Wallace decided to stick it out.

All of sudden, under the race's third caution on lap 59, Almirola was pulled in favor of Hamlin. Losing a lap in the process, the No. 20 that had run in top-3 all night with Almirola was placed in 30-something place one lap down.

Almirola steamed back to the hauler without any opportunity for ESPN2's cameras to grab a comment. JGR officials later declined comment.

With 100 laps to go, Hamlin had gotten his lap back and was in 12th-place, in great position with a great car to win the race.

If I'm Aric Almirola, I would be delivering my resignation papers to highest JGR brass at Milwaukee Saturday night.

How could you possibly drive for a team that takes you out of a perfect opportunity to win your first NASCAR race in lieu of sponsorship requests?

The answer is easy: you don't.

Burned bridges to don't build themselves back, and I sure hope Almirola can one day turn it around and stick it JGR.

That is, though, if Almirola has the self-respect to find an organization who respects its employees -- regardless if they gave you your big break or not.