(Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Aric Almirola announced on Friday that he will return to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2023 after originally announcing his retirement in January.
Almirola said that sponsor Smithfield re-signed on a multi-year deal, indicating that he’ll drive the No. 10 car beyond the 2023 season.
“It was very evident that not only did [Smithfield] want me back, but that Smithfield wanted to increase their marketing campaign around NASCAR and around me,” Almirola said in a press conference. “Smithfield has been the primary sponsor on my race car my entire Cup career and so to continue to have their support and their backing is just an awesome feeling to be their guy and to be wanted.”
When Almirola originally made the decision to step away after this season, he cited family reasons as a primary factor. But, in addition to Smithfield increasing its involvement, a new balance between family and racing helped sway Almirola back.
“I think by the time the year is over Janice (wife) and the kids will have come to about 28 races,” Almirola said. “Everything has worked out to make it make sense for me to be able to continue to race with the kids’ activities. We’ve moved some things around to where they’re doing most of their activities during the week and the school that they’re involved in now, Friday is a satellite day to where they have to work. They work and they turn in their work on a computer.
“It feels like a blessing and a wonderful opportunity to continue to do what I love to do, and I think I made that very clear when I announced that I was gonna retire that I wasn’t retiring because I didn’t enjoy racing anymore, I was retiring because I was willing to make a sacrifice for my family because, ultimately, my family is the most important thing to me. Winning races and making money and all of those things, I was willing to make that sacrifice to make sure I was being the husband I needed to be and the father I needed to be, and through this year Janice and I just found a wonderful balance to where I still can be the husband that I want to be and the father that I want to be.”
In 413 NASCAR Cup Series races since 2007, Almirola has won three times and recorded 91 top-10 finishes. He won his first race in 2014 for Richard Petty Motorsports at Daytona after rain shortened the event. Most recently, Almirola won at New Hampshire last year after staving off Christopher Bell late.
This season, Almirola has seven top-10 finishes and sits 18th in driver’s points.
“All of us at SHR are very happy to have Aric back in our Smithfield Ford Mustang,” team co-owner Tony 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.”
While Almirola has his future decided, he said his mindset doesn’t change. He’s focused on trying to win at Daytona on Saturday night to clinch a spot in the playoffs.
“I know what’s next. I’m gonna continue to drive a race car,” Almirola said. “I’m looking forward to it and I’m excited about it, but you have to remember I’ve been doing this for a long time. I’m going into my 12th season next year. It’s pretty routine, so from a mindset standpoint nothing really changes.”
Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on NBC. Ryan Blaney won last year’s race.