At last, Aric Almirola conquers New Hampshire Motor Speedway. (Photo: Josh Jones/The Podium Finish)
Without a doubt, Aric Almirola snapped his 98 race winless streak in grand fashion.
By all means, the 37-year-old Tampa, Fla. native needed a feel good moment in a difficult 2021 season. In this case, Aric Almirola and his No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang team made it happen at New Hampshire.
Still, the 14-year NASCAR Cup Series veteran faced a tall order in Sunday’s Foxwoods Resort Casino 301. Certainly, Almirola aspired for a productive outing like Kurt Busch in 2008.
Similarly, like Busch, who started 26th in his Granite State victory, Almirola started deep in the field in 22nd.
The Moment of Truth
All things considered, Almirola showcased his prowess after a 14th place finish in an eventful stage 1. Surely, Almirola made some noise with a solid fifth place result in stage 2.
Indeed, Almirola and crew chief Mike Bugarewicz hit on the right combination in the final laps. Following his first stint in the lead between laps 246 to 250, the Floridian proved tenacious in the final laps.
Moreover, Almirola exorcised the anguish of his bitter defeat at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2018. This time, Almirola capitalized with his second career Cup win.
In the same way that a Daytona 500 celebrates a crown jewel victory, Almirola soaked in his special victory at Loudon.
In general, Aric Almirola channeled his best Tom Petty at New Hampshire. (Photo: Josh Jones/The Podium Finish)
“We have been fighting, scratching, clawing and, man, this feels so good to have something pay off for all the hard work, so just really happy,” Almirola said. “We’ve been through so much and I’ve just stood the test and kept the faith. The team, everybody, they’ve just been working so hard.”
Undoubtedly, Almirola sang his praises to his No. 10 team and their fast, timely pit stops. Additionally, he basked in the significance of his much anticipated second Cup win.
“My pit crew, they did a phenomenal job on pit road,” Almirola observed. “All the guys that work on this car, they just keep fighting. They just keep digging, bringing the best race car they can bring every week. And it is no doubt, we have struggled. But, guess what? We’re going playoff racing.”
In fact, Almirola earned his Playoff spot with a statement victory. Christopher Bell, Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race winner, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, Alex Bowman and Denny Hamlin round out the top 10 finishers.
Almirola Adds to Season of Amazement
After all the setbacks and struggles in the first half of 2021, Almirola and his hardy team can stand tall at New Hampshire. In like manner, Almirola becomes the 13th different winner in an exciting, adventurous NASCAR Cup Series season.
Now, Almirola can focus on the postseason as well as the two week Olympic break. Nevertheless, Almirola reflected on some close calls and the heartaches that he, his family and team endured since Talladega in 2018.
Of course, Aric Almirola might prefer a bacon flavored lobster. (Photo: Josh Jones/The Podium Finish)
“That’s what a race car driver lives for,” Almirola said. “For so long, I’ve been so close to winning at some of these racetracks like here, Dover, and I’ve let it slip away. I honestly hated it and my wife has hated it worse than I have. She’s always told me, ‘Honey, I want you to win so badly at somewhere other than a restrictor plate racetrack.’ And we did it today. I’m so proud of everybody at Stewart-Haas Racing, Roush Yates Engine Shop. Man, this means so much.”
Ultimately, Almirola and his peers await for the Go Bowling at the Glen in two weeks (Sunday, August 8). Until then, Almirola brings home the bacon, or, lobster on this occasion.
Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Top 10 Finishers
Almirola-Bell-Keselowski-Logano-Blaney/Harvick-Larson-Chastain-Bowman-Hamlin
