MARTINSVILLE, Va: Aric Almirola confirmed on Saturday that he will not return to Stewart-Haas Racing as the driver of the No. 10 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series next season but left his future plans open-ended.
Almirola made the announcement on social media hours before the NASCAR Cup Series is set to hit the track at the historic Martinsville (Va.) Speedway for Sunday’s Xfinity 500, the penultimate race of the 2023 Cup Series season.
Almirola, a native of Tampa, Fla., had initially planned to retire at the end of last season but decided with a push from longtime sponsor Smithfield Foods to remain in the No. 10 Ford seat this season. Almirola had been pondering a decision about 2024 over the last several months.
“After much prayer, consideration and conversations with my family, I’m ready for the next adventure,” the statement read. “As for the future … Proverbs 19:21.”
Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
— Aric Almirola (@Aric_Almirola) October 28, 2023
Shortly after Almirola’s post, Tony Stewart, co-owner of SHR, issued the following statement:
“I’m proud of everything Aric has accomplished and am especially proud that his last six years have been with Stewart-Haas Racing. He and Smithfield formed an incredible partnership that resonated on and off the racetrack, and a lot of that is a testament to Aric.
“He always puts forth maximum effort and he makes everyone around him better. Simply put, he’s a great person – an awesome dad to Alex and Abby and an exceptional husband to Janice. I know all of them really well and am genuinely happy for their next steps together as a family.
“Smithfield has been an outstanding partner and a NASCAR staple for more than a decade. Their platform with Aric was a model for the sport and it was an honor to represent them.”
Stewart also confirmed that SHR would remain a four-car Cup team in 2024 and the organization would announce a new driver as well as new sponsors in due course.
CATCHFENCE.com has learned that Las Vegas native Noah Gragson is a leading candidate to replace Almirola for 2024.
Smithfield Foods also announced on Saturday morning that they will end their NASCAR sponsorship following the conclusion of next Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway on Nov. 5.
Entering Sunday’s race, Almirola has made 458 career Cup starts and has driven for SHR since 2018. He has three career Cup Series wins, including his most recent with SHR at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2021.
He finished a career-best fifth in the series standings in 2018. He also has four Xfinity wins and two in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series
Almirola missed the playoffs this season and is slated 22nd in the Cup Series standings with two poles, one top-five and four top-10 finishes. His best finish this season was third at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in August.
Follow Chris Knight on X (Twitter) at @Knighter01 or email: [email protected]
Smithfield Foods Statement on NASCAR Sponsorship pic.twitter.com/Z9u5i05ymm
— Smithfield Foods (@SmithfieldFoods) October 28, 2023
