DOVER, Del − Aric Almirola survived a wild end at Dover International Speedway to earn his first NASCAR Trucks victory in a green-white finish on Friday.
Kyle Busch led most of the race, 172 laps overall, and was in third heading into the final restart. But he made an unexpected pit stop when he ran out of fuel and finished 16th.
Almirola took control and held on for the win. He just wished Busch was around for the finish. Busch left the No. 51 truck at the end of last season to start his own team and Almirola took his spot.
“I really would have loved to race him for the win. That would have been a lot of fun,'' Almirola said. “Kyle Busch is a phenomenal race car driver. I'm here to say we've got a great race team and we're here to win races no matter who's driving that truck.''
Almirola, who lost a lap earlier in the race when he had a flat tire, jumped into first place in the points standings.
James Buescher was second and Justin Lofton finished third at Dover. Ricky Carmichael and Todd Bodine rounded out the top five.
Almirola has one other NASCAR victory _ even though he didn't celebrate the win. Driving for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2007, Almirola started a second-tier race at Milwaukee Mile for Denny Hamlin. After missing the start of the race because his helicopter couldn't find a place to land, Hamlin ordered Almirola out of the car and took over, driving the car to Victory Lane.
Because Almirola, a substitute driver, started the race in Hamlin's car, NASCAR officially credited Almirola with the victory, points and prize money.
“That trophy is not at my house on the mantle,'' he said. “This one will be tonight.''
Almirola has driven in all six trucks races this season after running a part-time schedule the last three years. He started last season in the Cup series before losing his ride with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing when funding dried up.
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