ARIC ALMIROLA SIGNS WITH RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS
Richard Petty Motorsports
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ARIC ALMIROLA SIGNS WITH RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS
Nationwide Series standout will pilot the famed No. 43 Ford Fusion in 2012
CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 4, 2012) – Richard Petty Motorsports announced today that Aric Almirola will drive the legendary No. 43 Ford Fusion in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition beginning in 2012.
Almirola has made 35 starts in the Sprint Cup Series, his most recent stint coming in 2010 when he finished the last five races of the season in the No. 9 Ford. During the final race of the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the Tampa, Fla., native posted a career-high, fourth-place effort. Almirola drove a JR Motorsports entry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2011 and capped off a successful season with a fourth-place finish in the championship point standings.
“One of the things I am most excited about is to have the chance to drive a car as iconic as the No. 43,” stated Almirola. “There is so much history surrounding that number and to have my name above the door will be really special for me.
“This is the first real opportunity I’ve had to drive in the Cup Series full time,” continued Almirola. “Last year the No. 43 team had a lot of speed and was competitive on a weekly basis. Greg Erwin is a great crew chief and I’m excited to work with him. Everyone at Richard Petty Motorsports has a lot of enthusiasm and drive and I’m really looking forward to getting to work.”
Almirola will join a team that is poised to compete for a spot in the 2012 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Paired with veteran Crew Chief Greg Erwin, Almirola will get behind the wheel for a team that earned one top-five and 10 top-10 finishes in 2011 en route to a 15th-place finish in the owner point standings.
“We are thrilled to welcome Aric Almirola into the RPM family,” said team Co-owner Richard Petty. “We feel extremely fortunate to have had a number of very talented drivers interested in joining our organization, but ultimately we felt Aric would be the best fit for the team and for our current and potential partners. We have had the chance to watch his progress for the past several years and we had success with him in the past. We are really confident in his potential as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver. We think Aric has all the makings to be the next bright star in our sport.”
Almirola began his racing career competing in go-karts before joining the open-wheel modified ranks in 2000. He was an original member of the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR)/Reggie White Drive for Diversity program. Almirola made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut in 2005 and began his Nationwide Series career in 2006, driving for JGR. Almirola drove a part-time Cup Series schedule for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. in 2008 before heading back to the Truck Series and earning a runner-up finish in the point standings in 2010. Almirola drove full time for JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series in 2011.
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About Richard Petty Motorsports
Known to many simply as “The King,” Richard Petty is the most decorated driver in the history of NASCAR racing, winning a record 200 races and seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships during his illustrious career. In late 2010, Petty, inducted into the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, partnered with Medallion Financial and Douglas Bergeron. Richard Petty Motorsports (www.richardpettymotorsports.com) fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series out of its headquarters in Concord, N.C.
Christopher Marson
wasnt he already there?
Robin A. Wheeler
What! OMG!
Denis Morgan
Great opportunity for him! Good Luck Aric! (Still wish it was Todd Szegedy!)
Lyne Berry
AWESOME!! He deserves this chance! Now I can officially root for the 43 car!!
Jan Scere
Yea!!!
Robert Murphy
wow! Good Job!
Alex Hamilton
What's the sponsor
Adam Ellis
Not a fan.
Robert Murphy
@ Christopher you arnt serious are u? He was with JR Motorsports all season last year.
Stan Stanford
That's awesome, he is a good driver, but to be honest I was kind of hoping David Ragan was going to get this ride.
Chris Riley
Anything is better than Kurt Busch. I'll be cheering for the 43 again this year.
Sammie Womble
good luck
Jeff Norris
I heard Smithfield Foods is going to be the primary sponser
Joe Cavett
Not a particular Almirola fan, but they could have done a lot worse. We'll see how the year goes. I'm not optimistic, but I'm hopeful.
Cody Ogden
Maybe his poblem in nationwide was his car owner i dont see him winning either. Almirola is a good shoe glad he has a good ride he deserves it
Debbie Donovan
he should do a bit better as its a better car than he has been in
Marc Fredo
I'm underwhelmed, to say the least.
Russell Mackowiak
BEEN A #43 FAN FOR 40 o f my 47 years on this rock and im losing faith that i`ll ever c a #43 in victory lane! balls!
Michael Turbeville
Congrats Almirola!!!
Donny Harris
Almirola--73 1win, 10—top 5, 28—10 Ragan--97 starts 2 wins, 16--top 5's, 45 top 10's.
Boyd Guthrie
If Richard says it's OK, Then it's OK!
Dan Straitiff
I'm pretty sure a lot of this had to do with sponsorship. I like Aric and welcome him as 'my' new driver...but I would have been pleased with either David R. in the car as well. At least it's settled and now I can look forward to the '12 season. Now c'mon Aric...drive it like you stole it!
Darrell Boyd
Glad you did not sign Busch!! Good job RPM!!
Steven Mosman
Sorry Aric. I am not excited. I hve been a 43 fan my whole life. ( over 40 years and next to the Jeff Green test drive I feel this will be another disappointing year for the 43 after 2 upswing years we just had. We Lets go Marcos. Maybe they will let Marcos drive the 43 on a road course. :)
Lynn Ginn
I am a big 43 fan always have been and think Aric is a fine fit as long as he puts us in victory lane. put the pedal to the metal and do not let up until you see the Black and White flag.
Clay Wood
Good Luck Aric!! Wished you had stayed w/JR though.
John McHugh
what sponsor did he bring? it's all a big bussness..
Jono Coulter
Good Stuff Go Aric!! #43 for life!
Mike Vanderspool
While I am still a little disappointed that A.J. felt the need to leave the team after such a successful season last year, it is very exciting to know that Aric is getting a chance and hope that the 43 car and RPM is able to continue the success that you found last season.
Brendan Kirk
Interesting choice. Thought it'd be Ragan for sure...good for Aric. Just wish the season would start already!
James Bowers
Aric should Focus on driving one car to maximize his oppurnity! Best of luck!
Chris Tweed Lawrence
been a 43 fan since i can remember i'm 56 now so i can't change will pull for the 43 as long as richard is involved love my richard and always will GO 43 i'm ready to start racing hurry up Daytona
Hugh Carr
Ragan ok driver , but his only sprint win was at a restricter plate race. Let's give aric a chance and see what he does! Nothing else I see Ambrose improving this year, maybe he will lead the Petty Charge!
RacingVolt
Awesome news for Richard Petty Motorsports! :)
Craig Grendon
I am glad they did not go with Ragan. He has always seemed like a middle of the pack driver that did less than he should have with the equipment he was given. We shall know soon enough if it was a good choice. One thing is for sure, looking forward to seeing Marcos give it a red hot go this year.
Tj Owens
both davids and vickers are terrible to put it mildly. Almirola has never been in a good ride and the short time he was in 2010 he ran up front for the most part and that sat well with the king. i think Aric will supprise a few of you. i still think RFR screwed RPM and AJ.
Ian Mason
Interesting choice from the drivers who were available. Only time (and not too much, I hope) will tell how good the decision is. They took a chance with Marcos and that's paying off so...
Barry Blakely
Great news...lets hope the search for sponsorships goes as well!
Matt Wright
Lets give Almirola a chance before everyone counts him out every driver there is had no wins or no chance once in their careers and ill be honest i dont like him i think Richard could have picked better but its not about how good of a driver you are anymore its all about the money/sponsers
Eric Wels
I just wish we can get a driver in the 43 and have them run well and STAY for a few years. Rick, Wally, Jeff??? even AJ was not on my root for list until he came to RPM. I will miss AJ and I think he will do well. BUT having been a fan of the 43 since I was able to know what a race car was, I look forward to 2012 and welcome Aric. Richard knows what he is doing. If Aric was not capable he would not be in NASCAR. Go get em' Aric. I will be wearing your shirt at Daytona!!!!!!!
Tom Branigan
You all say that Richard knows what he is doing--Im glad you have that faith in him but lets be honest--since leaving Level Cross(his decision) this compnay has gone down hill
Michael Petty
I hope RPM gets a great sponsor who says "lets see the 43 in victory lane" 11 And that money is no object !!
