In order for Aric Almirola's family to immigrate to America from communist Cuba, they had to give up everything they owned to the government: land, money, possessions.

Coming to this country on the U.S.-sponsored Cuban Freedom Flights in the 1960s, the only clothes the family was allowed to take were the ones on their backs. His grandmother was even forced to give up her wedding ring.

Sunday spin

Aric Almirola has one top-10 in 20 Cup starts, finishing eighth at Bristol last March. He has finished 30th and 35th in two starts this year. Despite spinning out twice at Daytona, he finished on the lead lap.

• Video: Almirola spin 1
• Video: Almirola spin 2

"When they landed in Miami they got off the plane, they checked in with immigration and the U.S. government gave them $100, patted my grandfather on the back and said good luck," recalled Almirola from the stories told to him by his father, who was 4 years old when the family immigrated.

The older Almirola gets the more he appreciates this story, and the greater his struggle becomes to find success in NASCAR the more he looks to his family heritage for strength.

Since Almirola's 2007 debut in the Cup Series, the 23-year-old has undergone two different mergers among three teams and is still looking for a sponsor that will enable him to run his first full-time season in NASCAR.

Joining the newly merged Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, Almirola has a new respect and unique relationship with Sabates. A Cuban-American like his father and grandfather, Sabates also fled the communist island in hopes of greater opportunities in the U.S.

"I think the biggest thing is admiration and mutual respect for each other," Almirola said. "I was fortunate to be born in America but I appreciate what Felix has gone through because I hear the stories from my dad and grandparents. Felix is outstanding."

Sabates left Cuba in 1959. He was 15 years old with no family waiting for him in America.

"I left Cuba with $25 and two boxes of Cuban cigars to sell when I got to Miami, that way I would have money to live for a few weeks," Sabates said.

Forbidden to leave the country, it was many years later before his father, Dr. Felix Sabates, was allowed to join his exiled family in America. Responsibility to help support his mother and siblings fell on the shoulders of Sabates.

Sabates worked several different jobs and earned what he considered his first real job -- selling cars at City Chevrolet in the early 1960s. He soon accepted a position as a manufacturer's representative for Top Sales Company and in 1973, at age 32, was able to parlay his sales success into the purchase of the company.

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I left Cuba with $25 and two boxes of Cuban cigars to sell when I got to Miami, that way I would have money to live for a few weeks.

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FELIX SABATES

By 1987, Sabates was a team owner in NASCAR, the first -- and only to this day -- Cuban to do so.

"I put myself in positions to grow my business at the right place at the right time. I was lucky enough to work when the opportunity was there," Sabates said. "I'd rather be lucky than good any day of the week."

Seemingly, Almirola has the talent but luck these days is no where to be found. In the season-opening Daytona 500, Almirola lost control of his car and spun out but then was eventually taken out by another driver on the track. The following Sunday in Fontana, Almirola's engine failed.

A driver looking for full-time sponsorship must produce top-10 finishes.

"I think we have something for the first eight races, so we are trying very hard to get a full-time sponsor because Aric has shown a lot of potential," said Sabates, who met Almirola a few years before he was a development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing.

"We developed a friendship, he was Cuban so I looked him up," Sabates recalled. "We actually talked about bringing him to our team before he went to Dale Earnhardt Inc., but at the time we didn't have any openings."

The opportunity finally opened up after Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Ganassi Racing merged during the offseason.

"I was pretty excited to have two Cubans in one company," Sabates said.

Almirola said it has been a unique transition having Sabates in his corner.

"Before the Daytona 500, me, Felix and Juan [Montoya] took a picture together," Almirola said. "We were like the three amigos and it was great to hear my father and grandfather speak Spanish with Felix. It's weird because the Spanish culture is such a unique culture. It's like an instant bond when you see someone of your origin."

An affinity has developed between the families.

"We have an instant bond because we both appreciate each other for the simple fact that if it wasn't for my dad coming over to America from Cuba I wouldn't be a race-car driver. If it wasn't for the fact that Felix came from Cuba to America he wouldn't be as successful a businessman as he is," Almirola said.

"It's all about coming from Cuba to America and the opportunity it has given Felix and the opportunity it has given my family. We both respect that about each other and admire how far our families have come after having everything taken from them."

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