Aric Almirola will not retire at the end of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season — in fact, he’s back for at least two more years.
Almirola re-signed with Stewart-Haas Racing in a multi-year deal, putting him in the No. 10 through at least 2024, SHR announced Aug. 26.
The exact length of the extension was not announced.
“I’ve learned a lot this year and perhaps the biggest learning was to never say never,” Almirola said in a team release. “I came into this year ready to soak everything up, and I have. I already knew I had the coolest job in the world, but being with my family and being there for Janice and Alex and Abby was really important. My desire to compete and win never wavered, but I didn’t want it to come at the expense of family. We found a way to accommodate both and I’ve never been happier.
“Smithfield is a big part of that. They’ve been a part of my life for 11 years and, really, my entire NASCAR Cup Series career. They’re family to me. And, of course, it’s always nice to be wanted. Smithfield wanted me to continue representing them. Stewart-Haas Racing wanted me to continue driving their racecars. Everything just aligned and it’s something we all embraced.
“The original decision to step away from fulltime racing at the end of the season was a family one, and so is this decision. Janice, Alex and Abby are just as excited as I am to continue racing the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang.”
Added Stewart: “All of us at SHR are very happy to have Aric back in our Smithfield Ford Mustang,” Stewart said. “I’ve always admired Aric because he’s always working to better himself, to find a better way. This year is proof of that. We’re in a tough sport, in terms of the competition and in terms of the commitment it takes to compete at this level. Even with all that, Aric has found a way to compete and enjoy life. That sounds simple, but achieving it is hard, yet Aric makes it look simple. It’s one of his many attributes, and it’s one of the many reasons why he’s such a good fit for Smithfield and for us. I’m proud of him and proud to extend our partnership with Smithfield.”
Smithfield, Almirola’s longtime sponsor, is part of the extension and will continue to sponsor the No. 10.
About the author
Rutherford is the managing editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2015 after serving on the editing staff for two years. At his day job, he's a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio -- you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.
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money talks.
Money doesn’t talk. It swears.
-Bob Dylan-
Boy oh boy, does money talk. He is mediocre at best and the company who shall be nameless wants him driving the car for years to come? What have they gotten out of it all these years? There are much better drivers. Mind Blown! Oh well SHR can continue to be able to pay the bills. Aric, I am guessing knows it is not because of his “talent”. Amazing! Just amazing. IMO!
Almirola’s definitely a “buy a ride” driver, I just can’t understand why Smithfield keeps giving him the money to buy the ride? In eighteen years as a professional driver, he has four Cup wins (three in crap shoot plate races), three Xfinity/Busch (two on plate tracks) and two truck wins. Not the worse career record ever, but considering that he often drove for top notch teams (Gibbs, DEI, SHR, Ganassi JRM), it sure isn’t anything special.
I hope Janice, Alex and Abby don’t have regrets down the NA$CAR road.