Aric Almirola

Aric Almirola is a three-time NASCAR Cup Series winner who led his team to five playoff appearances and is the first NASCAR national series driver and winner of Cuban descent. A Tampa, Florida, native, Almirola’s racing career began in go-karts at age 8. After winning many races and local titles in and around his home state, he took his talent to the national karting scene in 1998. Almirola’s big break came in the fall of 2003. In conjunction with the late Reggie White, a Hall of Fame defensive end who played in the NFL, the Gibbs organization formed a diversity program to create a grassroots stock car team that would identify and assist minorities with the desire and talent to pursue a career in motorsports. Almirola was selected to join the program after placing first in a driver combine at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

As a top NASCAR Cup Series driver, leadership is the key quality in building a successful team in an extremely fast-paced environment. To be successful on the track, a driver must lead his team off the track in order to build the fastest cars, make the right calls, and build the relationships with corporate sponsors.

What makes his career so unique is his attention to detail, both physically and mentally, inside and outside of the car. Almirola trains his body and mind for peak performance - finding every edge he can get on the competition. From contrast therapy, to 100-mile bike rides, to earning more efficient sleep, he wants to know how every aspect of training and recovery can improve his performance. NASCAR hosts the longest season in sports spanning from February to November with only one off-weekend and 40 race weekends, so there is not time to sit stagnant. The following racer weekend is only 5 days away from the moment he arrives home.

Almirola takes the people-first approach and has spoken on team building and leadership to Fortune 500 companies including Mobil 1, Ford Motor Company, Smithfield Foods, Roche, and countless others.

In addition to being a leader in his profession, Almirola brings his leadership style full circle by balancing his most important job - being a husband to two children, a Dad, a Christian, a friend, and a philanthropist.

Organizations have left with unique knowledge on how they can also structure their teams like a top-performing NASCAR Cup Series team, improving their own physical and mental health, and balancing their work with their lives at home - all while finding fulfillment and gratitude through the ups and downs.