KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Stewart-Haas Racing has signed Aric Almirola to join its Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series lineup next season. He will drive the team’s No. 10 Smithfield Ford Fusion.
Almirola has won races in each of NASCAR’s top-three national touring series and is currently in his sixth full season in the premier NASCAR Cup Series.
Almirola has one NASCAR Cup Series victory, three NASCAR XFINITY Series wins and two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series triumphs.
“I’ve known Aric since 2004 and have always been impressed with him on the racetrack,” said team co-owner Tony Stewart. “I’ve raced with him and seen him mature into a really good race car driver. He can compete for wins here at Stewart-Haas Racing and help our other drivers compete for wins. He’s an excellent fit for this team and for Smithfield.”
“First of all, surprise. This is so cool. Christmas came early for me. This is an unbelievable day for me to have this opportunity. I’ve worked my whole life, my whole career for an opportunity like this, to come and be a part of a championship organization,” Almirola said. “This is the opportunity every racer wants. Stewart-Haas Racing is an experienced organization with a lot of depth, great technical support from Ford, and staffed with racers from top to bottom. They lean on each other, challenge each other and make each other better. I’m really looking forward to being a part of that. I’ve known Tony Stewart since our time together at Joe Gibbs Racing. I know what he expects and he knows my commitment. I can’t thank him and Smithfield enough for believing in me and providing this opportunity.”
“This is a great moment for Aric, and Smithfield is very happy to be a part of it because it’s a great opportunity for our company,” said John Pauley, executive vice president of sales and marketing, Smithfield. “Obviously, we strongly believe in Aric’s ability and that of Stewart-Haas Racing, and those abilities transcend the racetrack. They want to consistently run up front and contend for wins, but they’re also very interested in helping us win in the marketplace. This is a strong partnership with outgoing personalities who are driven to succeed.”
Almirola’s path to NASCAR started in his home state of Florida, beginning in karting in 1992 before advancing to open-wheel modifieds in 2000 and then late-model stock cars in 2002.
In late 2003 at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway, Almirola participated in a driver combine for Joe Gibbs Racing and was ultimately selected as one of the first two drivers for Gibbs’ diversity program, which launched in 2004.
Almirola became a teammate of Stewart’s, who was in his sixth year as a NASCAR Cup Series driver and only two years removed from the first of his three NASCAR Cup Series championships.
Billy Scott will serve as crew chief for Almirola and the No. 10.
Source :speedsport.com
Comments
