Aric Almirola

After bouncing around in part-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rides since 2007, Aric Almirola got his big break in 2012 when he landed a full-time ride driving the No. 43 Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports. In 2013 Aric will try to improve on last season in which he posted his second career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series top-five finish and finished a career high 20th in the championship standings. Almirola will have Smithfield Foods on his No. 43 Ford for 25 races in 2013.

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DARLINGTON, SC - MAY 11: (From top) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #17 Zest Ford, races against Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Foods Ford, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on May 11, 2013 in Darlington, South Carolina.

DARLINGTON, SC - MAY 10: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Foods Ford, stands in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on May 10, 2013 in Darlington, South Carolina.

TALLADEGA, AL - MAY 05: David Stremme, driver of the #30 Lean 1 Toyota, and Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 Budweiser Chevrolet, lead Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, Jamie McMurray, driver of the #1 McDonald's Chevrolet, and Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Gwaltney Ford, through turn four during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama.

TALLADEGA, AL - MAY 05: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Gwaltney Ford, pits during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama.

RICHMOND, VA - APRIL 27: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Rush Truck Centers/Mobil 1 Chevrolet, leads Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway on April 27, 2013 in Richmond, Virginia.

RICHMOND, VA - APRIL 26: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, stands in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway on April 26, 2013 in Richmond, Virginia.

KANSAS CITY, KS - APRIL 21: Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 ACE Brand Ford, races Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 STP/Farmland Ford, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series STP 400 at Kansas Speedway on April 21, 2013 in Kansas City, Kansas.

KANSAS CITY, KS - APRIL 21: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, leads Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 STP/Farmland Ford, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series STP 400 at Kansas Speedway on April 21, 2013 in Kansas City, Kansas.

FORT WORTH, TX - APRIL 12: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Eckrich Ford, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 12, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas.

FORT WORTH, TX - APRIL 11: Aric Almirola drives the #43 Eckrich Ford during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Gen-6 Testing at Texas Motor Speedway on April 11, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas.

RIDGEWAY, VA - APRIL 07: Actor Mario Lopez visits with Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Jani-King/STP Ford, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series STP Gas Booster 500 on April 7, 2013 at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia.

RIDGEWAY, VA - APRIL 07: Crew members push the #43 Jani-King/STP Ford of Aric Almirola in the garage area prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series STP Gas Booster 500 on April 7, 2013 at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia.

RIDGEWAY, VA - APRIL 05: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Jani-King/STP Ford, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series STP Gas Booster 500 on April 5, 2013 at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia.

FONTANA, CA - MARCH 24: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #51 Phoenix Construction Chevrolet, races Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 WIX Filters Chevrolet, Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Jimmie Johnson Foundation Chevrolet, Casey Mears, driver of the #13 GEICO Ford, Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, Jamie McMurray, driver of the #1 Bass Pro Shops/McDonald's Chevrolet, and Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 24, 2013 in Fontana, California.

FONTANA, CA - MARCH 24: Casey Mears, driver of the #13 GEICO Ford, races Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 WIX Filters Chevrolet, and Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 24, 2013 in Fontana, California.

BRISTOL, TN - MARCH 17: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, leads Brian Vickers, driver of the #55 RK Motors Toyota, and Bobby Labonte, driver of the #47 Kroger Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 17, 2013 in Bristol, Tennessee.

BRISTOL, TN - MARCH 15: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 15, 2013 in Bristol, Tennessee.

AVONDALE, AZ - MARCH 03: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #17 Best Buy Ford, drives ahead of Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on March 3, 2013 in Avondale, Arizona.

AVONDALE, AZ - MARCH 02: Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the #12 Detroit Genuine Parts Ford, drives ahead of Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 AdvoCare Chevrolet, and Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Flying J Ford, during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Dollar General 200 fueled by AmeriGas at Phoenix International Raceway on March 2, 2013 in Avondale, Arizona.

AVONDALE, AZ - MARCH 02: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Flying J Ford, drives ahead of Kyle Larson, driver of the #32 Eveready Chevrolet, and Brian Scott, driver of the #2 Whitetail Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Dollar General 200 fueled by AmeriGas at Phoenix International Raceway on March 2, 2013 in Avondale, Arizona.

AVONDALE, AZ - MARCH 02: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, drives through the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on March 2, 2013 in Avondale, Arizona.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 24: Dave Blaney, driver of the #7 Florida Lottery Chevrolet, Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, and Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Foods Ford, race during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 24, 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 Caterpillar Chevrolet, speaks with Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Foods Ford during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 20, 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 15: A crew member scrapes the tires of the#43 Smithfield Ford car, driven by Aric Almirola during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JANUARY 11: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Toyota, and Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Ford, lead a group of cars across the start/finish line during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Preseason Thunder testing at Daytona International Speedway on January 11, 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

CONCORD, NC - DECEMBER 11: Aric Almirola drives the Richard Petty Motorsports Ford during testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on December 11, 2012 in Concord, North Carolina.

AVONDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 11: Kasey Kahne, driver of the #5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet, leads Paul Menard, driver of the #27 Menards/Rheem Chevrolet, Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, and Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Mobil 1/Office Depot Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 11, 2012 in Avondale, Arizona.

AVONDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 09: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, signs autographs for fans during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 9, 2012 in Avondale, Arizona.

FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 04: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Office Toyota, leads Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, and Trevor Bayne, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 4, 2012 in Fort Worth, Texas.

FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 04: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, leads Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard/Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet, and Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 4, 2012 in Fort Worth, Texas.

FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 02: Aric Almirola, driver of the #5 Rimrock Design Ford, looks on during driver introductions during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series WinStar World Casino 350k at Texas Motor Speedway on November 2, 2012 in Fort Worth, Texas.

FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 02: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 2, 2012 in Fort Worth, Texas.

RIDGEWAY, VA - OCTOBER 27: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Gwaltney Ford, sits in his car in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 27, 2012 in Ridgeway, Virginia.

RIDGEWAY, VA - OCTOBER 26: Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 Odyssey/EnerSys Chevrolet, talks to Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Gwaltney Ford, on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 26, 2012 in Ridgeway, Virginia.

KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 21: Aric Almirola looks over the wrecked #43 Farmland Ford on track after an incident in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on October 21, 2012 in Kansas City, Kansas.

KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 21: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, waves to the crowd from the track after hitting the wall in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on October 21, 2012 in Kansas City, Kansas.

KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 21: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, races Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Halloween Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on October 21, 2012 in Kansas City, Kansas.

KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 21: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, leads Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on October 21, 2012 in Kansas City, Kansas.

KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 21: Aric Almirola drives the #43 Farmland Ford during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on October 21, 2012 in Kansas City, Kansas.

KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 20: Marcos Ambrose (R), driver of the #9 Black & Decker Ford, talks with Aric Almirola (L), driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on October 20, 2012 in Kansas City, Kansas.

CONCORD, NC - OCTOBER 13: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, races Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 11: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, races during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 11, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 07: Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the #22 SKF Dodge, leads Landon Cassill, driver of the #83 Burger King/Dr Pepper Toyota, Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Gwaltney Ford, and David Stremme, driver of the #30 SwanEnergyInc.com Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 7, 2012 in Talladega, Alabama.

TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 07: Travis Kvapil, driver of the #93 Burger King/Dr Pepper Toyota, races Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Gwaltney Ford, and Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 7, 2012 in Talladega, Alabama.

TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 06: Aric Almirola, driver of the #5 Jordan Truck Sales Ford, leads the field during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series fred's 250 Powered By Coca-Cola at Talladega Superspeedway on October 6, 2012 in Talladega, Alabama.

TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 06: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Gwaltney Ford, walks on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 6, 2012 in Talladega, Alabama.

DOVER, DE - SEPTEMBER 28: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Super 8 Ford, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on September 28, 2012 in Dover, Delaware.

LOUDON, NH - SEPTEMBER 21: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Trim Fit Ford, walks on pit road during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21, 2012 in Loudon, New Hampshire.

JOLIET, IL - SEPTEMBER 16: (Lead cars from top) Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet and Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, lead the field at the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on September 16, 2012 in Joliet, Illinois.

JOLIET, IL - SEPTEMBER 15: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, stands on the grid after qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on September 15, 2012 in Joliet, Illinois.

JOLIET, IL - SEPTEMBER 15: (L-R) Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Farmland Ford, talks with Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on September 15, 2012 in Joliet, Illinois.

RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 08: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, drives alongside Jamie McMurray, driver of the #1 Bass Pro Shops/Allstate Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway on September 8, 2012 in Richmond, Virginia.

RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 08: Crew members for Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, watch as cars go by during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway on September 8, 2012 in Richmond, Virginia.

HAMPTON, GA - SEPTEMBER 02: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 AdvoCare Ford, races during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on September 2, 2012 in Hampton, Georgia.

HAMPTON, GA - SEPTEMBER 02: (L-R) Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 AdvoCare Ford and Clint Bowyer, driver of the #15 5-hour Energy Toyota, race side by each during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on September 2, 2012 in Hampton, Georgia.

HAMPTON, GA - AUGUST 31: Aric Almirola adjusts his safety belts while sitting in the #43 AdvoCare Ford before the start of practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Advocare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on August 31, 2012 in Hampton, Georgia.

HAMPTON, GA - AUGUST 31: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 AdvoCare Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Advocare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on August 31, 2012 in Hampton, Georgia.

BRISTOL, TN - AUGUST 24: Jeff Burton drives the #31 Caterpillar Chevrolet ahead of Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Goody's Headache Powders Ford, during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 24, 2012 in Bristol, Tennessee.

BRISTOL, TN - AUGUST 24: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Goody's Headache Powders Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 24, 2012 in Bristol, Tennessee.

BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 19: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Eckrich Ford, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 19, 2012 in Brooklyn, Michigan.

BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 17: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Eckrich Ford, walks down the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 17, 2012 in Brooklyn, Michigan.

BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 17: Aric Almirola drives the #43 Eckrich Ford through the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 17, 2012 in Brooklyn, Michigan.

WATKINS GLEN, NY - AUGUST 12: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, races during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Finger Lakes 355 at the Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 12, 2012 in Watkins Glen, New York.

WATKINS GLEN, NY - AUGUST 10: Marcos Ambrose, driver of the #9 Stanley Ford, leads Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Finger Lakes 355 at the Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 10, 2012 in Watkins Glen, New York.

LONG POND, PA - AUGUST 05: Crew members cover the #43 Automotive Lift Institute Ford, driven by Aric Almirola, as rain delays the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway on August 5, 2012 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

LONG POND, PA - AUGUST 03: Aric Almirola sits in the #43 Automotive Lift Institute Ford before the start of practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway on August 3, 2012 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

LOUDON, NH - JULY 14: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge, walks with Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Medallion Ford during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 14, 2012 in Loudon, New Hampshire.

LOUDON, NH - JULY 13: Bobby Labonte, driver of the #47 Luke & Associates Toyota, talks to Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Medallion Ford, during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 13, 2012 in Loudon, New Hampshire.

LOUDON, NH - JULY 13: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Medallion Ford, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 13, 2012 in Loudon, New Hampshire.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 07: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 U.S. Air Force Ford, drives after being damaged in a multi-car incident during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2012 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 05: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 U.S. Air Force Ford, drives during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway on July 5, 2012 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

SPARTA, KY - JUNE 30: Stephen Leicht, driver of the #33 Little Joes Autos.com Chevrolet, Jamie McMurray, driver of the #1 McDonald's Chevrolet, and Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Eckrich Ford, race during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway on June 30, 2012 in Sparta, Kentucky.

SPARTA, KY - JUNE 29: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Eckrich Ford, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway on June 29, 2012 in Sparta, Kentucky.

SPARTA, KY - JUNE 29: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Eckrich Ford, speaks to the media prior to qualifying for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Feed The Children 300 at Kentucky Speedway on June 29, 2012 in Sparta, Kentucky.

SONOMA, CA - JUNE 23: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard/7-Eleven Chevrolet, leads Michael McDowell, driver of the #98 Presbyterian Healthcare System Ford, Casey Mears, driver of the #13 GEICO Ford, leads Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Medallion Ford, during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma on June 23, 2012 in Sonoma, California.

SONOMA, CA - JUNE 22: Boris Said, driver of the #32 HendrickCars.com Ford, and Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Medallion Ford, practice on track for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma on June 22, 2012 in Sonoma, California.

SONOMA, CA - JUNE 22: Aric Almirola drives the #43 Medallion Ford during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma on June 22, 2012 in Sonoma, California.

BROOKLYN, MI - JUNE 17: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #17 Ford EcoBoost Ford, Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Medallion Ford, and Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Office Toyota, lead a group of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 17, 2012 in Brooklyn, Michigan.

BROOKLYN, MI - JUNE 16: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Medallion Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 16, 2012 in Brooklyn, Michigan.

LONG POND, PA - JUNE 09: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Transportation Impact Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pocono 400 presented by #NASCAR at Pocono Raceway on June 9, 2012 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

DOVER, DE - JUNE 02: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, and Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Jani-King/Smithfield Ford, stand on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway on June 2, 2012 in Dover, Delaware.

DOVER, DE - JUNE 01: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Jani-King/Smithfield Ford, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway on June 1, 2012 in Dover, Delaware.

CONCORD, NC - MAY 27: Marcos Ambrose, driver of the #9 DEWALT Ford, races Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 U.S. Air Force Ford, and Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 Fastenal Ford, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 27, 2012 in Concord, North Carolina.

CONCORD, NC - MAY 27: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 U.S. Air Force Ford, races Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Patriotic Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 27, 2012 in Concord, North Carolina.

CONCORD, NC - MAY 27: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 U.S. Air Force Ford, waves to the crowd during driver introductions prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 27, 2012 in Concord, North Carolina.

CONCORD, NC - MAY 27: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 U.S. Air Force Ford, and Marcos Ambrose, driver of the #9 DEWALT Ford, lead the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 27, 2012 in Concord, North Carolina.

CONCORD, NC - MAY 24: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 U.S. Air Force Ford, poses after qualifying for the pole position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2012 in Concord, North Carolina.

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 18: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 18, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

DARLINGTON, SC - MAY 12: Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 BB&T Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard Chevrolet, Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Gravely Mower Ford, and Clint Bowyer, driver of the #15 5-hour Energy Toyota, race during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on May 12, 2012 in Darlington, South Carolina.

KANSAS CITY, KS - APRIL 20: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 STP Ford, looks on in the garage during practice for the NASACAR Sprint Cup Series 400 at Kansas Speedway on April 20, 2012 in Kansas City, Kansas.

FORT WORTH, TX - APRIL 14: Joey Logano, driver of the #20 Dollar General Toyota, AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge, Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, and Regan Smith, driver of the #78 Furniture Row/Farm American Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Samsung Mobile 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 14, 2012 in Fort Worth, Texas.

FORT WORTH, TX - APRIL 14: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, Joey Logano, driver of the #20 Dollar General Toyota, and AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge, race during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Samsung Mobile 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 14, 2012 in Fort Worth, Texas.

MARTINSVILLE, VA - APRIL 01: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, congratulates Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 Outback Steak House Chevrolet, after Newman won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on April 1, 2012 in Martinsville, Virginia.

MARTINSVILLE, VA - APRIL 01: Brian Vickers, driver of the #55 RK Motors Toyota, leads Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, Joey Logano, driver of the #20 The Home Depot Toyota, Bobby Labonte, driver of the #47 Bush's Baked Beans Toyota, and Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 3M Ford, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on April 1, 2012 in Martinsville, Virginia.

MARTINSVILLE, VA - MARCH 31: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, stands on pit road during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on March 31, 2012 in Martinsville, Virginia.

MARTINSVILLE, VA - MARCH 31: Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 BB&T Chevrolet, and Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, stand on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on March 31, 2012 in Martinsville, Virginia.

FONTANA, CA - MARCH 23: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Medallion Financial Ford, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 23, 2012 in Fontana, California.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: (L-R) Jamie McMurray, driver of the #1 McDonald's Chevrolet, Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Richard Petty Fantasy Racing Camp Ford, Regan Smith, driver of the #78 Furniture Row/Farm American Chevrolet, and Paul Menard, driver of the #27 Schrock/Menards Chevrolet,talk on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Richard Petty Fantasy Racing Camp Ford, walks on pit road during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Aric Almirola drives the #43 Richard Petty Fantasy Racing Camp Ford during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.