Benefiting from a split-second late race strategy decision, veteran Aric Almirola held off a mightily-motivated field to win Friday night’s Food City 300.

Aric Almirola took the lead by not pitting under caution and led the final 34 laps to win Friday’s Xfinity playoff opener at Bristol Motor Speedway. Sheldon Creed was the top-finishing playoff driver,

Watch the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 4:00 p.m. ET on The CW. Find your channel now: thecw.com/NASCAR. Stream free next day on The CW App.

With 34 laps left in Friday’s Xfinity race at Bristol, Aric Almirola and his Joe Gibbs Racing team had a choice: come down pit road, like many of the leaders, and battle it out amongst themselves, or stay on the racetrack, on older tires, and try to hold onto the race-lead.

Aric Almirola took a stellar victory in the Xfinity Series at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver was right in the battle upfront since the start of the race, and managed to keep things clean.

Day has a trio of starts at Bristol in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, finishing 18th, 15th and on Thursday night, 11th. The 17 team went to victory lane at Bristol in the spring with Kyle Larson taking the checkered flag.