Move to DEI pays off with full-time ride for Almirola

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Aric Almirola won't need a Christmas present this December, because he just received a gift this week that he promises he'll play with all year long.

On Tuesday, Dale Earnhardt Inc. officials confirmed that Almirola -- who has all of 11 career Sprint Cup starts -- will drive the No. 8 Chevrolet in all 36 races in 2009.

"I can't wait for February to get here," Almirola said. "I've been telling everybody, if I could go to bed tonight and wake up tomorrow morning and it would be Daytona testing, I'd be happy."

Almirola finished eighth at Bristol in his DEI debut, which apparently accelerated discussions with the team about his immediate future.

"When I ran well at Bristol earlier this year, that kind of jump-started the talks," Almirola said. "We started talking about it more, about trying to get me more races. And fortunately, the way all the circumstances worked out, it worked out perfect to where I'm going to get to run every week."

Almirola was initially hired by Joe Gibbs Racing through NASCAR's diversity program, and is credited with one win in the former Busch Series last season. He started the No. 20 Chevrolet at Milwaukee, but was replaced mid-race by Denny Hamlin, who wound up taking the checkered flag.

Faced with deciding whether to remain as a Gibbs development driver or strike out on his own, Almirola leapt at an opportunity to gain some Cup experience with the merged Ginn Racing-DEI stable, running five races in the No. 01.

"I made a decision back then, based on what was best for me at the time," Almirola said. "At that moment, that was the best decision I could make, to continue to drive racecars. I'm very happy with the path it's sent me down because now I'm going to be getting in the No. 8 full time next year and that's a really good opportunity for me."

One of the difficulties Almirola has faced this season is the relative lack of seat time. He's scheduled to run seven more Cup races this season in the ride he shares with Mark Martin. In addition, he's been acting a test driver for the team, has competed in Tony Stewart's Prelude to a Dream and will travel to Nova Scotia later this month.

"I've dealt with it for so long, I hate to say it, but I've sort of become accustomed to it," Almirola said. "Now, it will be more emotional because I know what I've got to look forward to. That'll be a big deal for me, coming every week still and hanging out with these guys. That's what it's all about for me. [Crew chief] Tony Gibson and the whole crew that he's put together there, they're a lot of fun to work with and it makes it fun to show up at the racetrack."

Almirola said no matter what happens, he'll continue to ask advice from Martin.

"If anything, it will be better, because I'll be in the racecar and he will be, too," Almirola said. "So I can walk over and grab him and speak with him for a second, ask him [questions]. He's been a big help for me this year with stuff on and off the racetrack. I think he'll be just as much of a help to me for the rest of my career."

Martin has 12 more races left in the No. 8 car this year including this weekend at Daytona International Speedway.

"There is no doubt Aric is ready to go full time," said Martin, who is expected to drive for Hendrick Motorsports next year (read more). "Aric is an incredible talent and a true student of the sport. Having him run a full-time program in the No. 8 was always part of the plan, but his development has allowed us to accelerate things."

Almirola has 60 starts in NASCAR's Nationwide and Craftsman Truck series.

"[We] know that Aric will get the job done," said John Story, DEI vice president of motorsports operations. "We appreciate everything Mark continues to do for the company. Since we first discussed with Mark our plans for Aric, he was 100 percent supportive and has done everything within his power to make it work and allow us to build a program around Aric."

The Sporting News Wire Service contributed to this report.