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DAYTONA BEACH, FL -  FEBRUARY 9:  Aric Almirola poses for a portrait during a photo session as part of NASCAR Media day on February 9, 2006 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BACK TO GALLERIES

Aric Almirola through the years

By Staff Report | Published: August 26, 2022 25
Jamie Squire | Getty Images
BACK TO GALLERIES

1 of 25

Aric Almriola climbs into his NASCAR Cup Series car at Atlanta

Jonathan Bachman | Getty Images

Aric Almirola has wrapped up his full-time NASCAR Cup Series career, finishing with plenty of memories and three series victories. To commemorate a career well spent, take a look back at how the former Stewart-Haas Racing driver rose through the NASCAR ranks.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL -  FEBRUARY 9:  Aric Almirola poses for a portrait during a photo session as part of NASCAR Media day on February 9, 2006 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jamie Squire | Getty Images

Almirola jumped into NASCAR racing in 2005 with one ARCA Menards Series start, four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races and a qualifying attempt in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

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MEMPHIS, TN - JULY 15:  Aric Almirola, driver of the #75 FedEx Chevrolet, waits to start during qualifying for the O'Reilly 200 on July 15, 2006 at Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tennessee.  (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Almirola got his first full-time ride in the NASCAR Craftsman World Truck Series in 2006, driving for Spears Motorsports.

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WEST ALLIS, WI - JUNE 23:  Aric Almirola, qualifying driver of the #20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet, holds up the Busch Pole Award following qualifying for the NASCAR Busch Series AT&T 250 at the Milwaukee Mile on June 23, 2007 in West Allis, Wisconsin. Almirola drove the #20 car in qualifying for Denny Hamlin, who will drive the car during the race. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jonathan Daniel | Getty Images

Almirola gained the "journeyman" label from 2007-09, picking up part-time rides with several NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Cup Series teams. He captured three pole awards in part-time stints with Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2007-08. He was credited with his first win at the Milwaukee Mile in 2007 but was replaced mid-race by Denny Hamlin.

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AVONDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 10:  Aric Almirola (L), driver of the #01 U.S. Army Chevrolet, talks with Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Chevrolet, in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 10, 2007 in Avondale, Arizona.  (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Stephen Dunn | Getty Images

Almirola saw his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2007 and made 35 starts from 2007-10 in the sport's top series. Here, Almirola is seen with then-Dale Earnhardt, Inc. teammate Martin Truex Jr.

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 22:  Aric Almirola, driver of the #51 Graceway Pharmaceuticals Toyota, posese with the 2nd place Camping World Truck Series trophy during the NASCAR Nationwide/Camping World Truck Series Banquet at Loews Miami Beach Hotel on November 22, 2010 in Miami, Florida.  (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images for NASCAR

In 2010, Almirola caught stride in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, capturing two wins and 21 top-10 finishes in 25 races. The consistency in Billy Ballew's No. 51 Toyota resulted in a second-place ranking on the year.

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AVONDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14:  Aric Almirola, driver of the #9 Budweiser Ford, makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 14, 2010 in Avondale, Arizona.  (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Trotman | Getty Images

The end of 2010 saw Almirola run the final five races in Richard Petty Motorsports' No. 9 Ford. He scored a fourth-place finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the season finale.

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NEWTON, IA - MAY 21: Aric Almirola, driver of the #88 2011 NASCAR Hall of Fame Chevrolet, prepares for the first practice session of the NASCAR Nationwide Series Inaugural Iowa John Deere Dealers 250 at Iowa Speedway on May 21, 2011 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Tom Pennington | Getty Images

In 2011, Almirola drove for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. His fourth-place finish in the standings came in his lone full-time season in that series.

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DARLINGTON, SC - SEPTEMBER 06:  Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 STP Ford, right, and team owner Richard Petty take part in pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2015 in Darlington, South Carolina.  (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jerry Markland | Getty Images

From 2012-17, Almirola drove for Richard Petty Motorsports and seven-time champion Richard Petty. The duo are seen here at the 2015 Darlington Raceway Throwback Weekend.

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KANSAS CITY, KS - APRIL 20:  Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 STP Ford, drives on track during practice for the NASACAR Sprint Cup Series 400 at Kansas Speedway on April 20, 2012 in Kansas City, Kansas.  (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

John Harrelson | Getty Images

A look at one of the classic STP No. 43 paint schemes Almirola drove during his Richard Petty Motorsports tenure.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 06:  Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 United States Air Force Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 after the race was called for weather at Daytona International Speedway on July 6, 2014 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Almirola scored his first NASCAR Cup Series win in 2014 in the summer race at Daytona International Speedway. While wet weather shortened the race, the victory placed Almirola in the NASCAR Playoffs and put him in a select club of drivers who have won in all NASCAR national series.

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TALLADEGA, AL - MAY 06:  Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh from Florida Ford, and his son, Alex, pose with the winner's decal in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama.  (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jerry Markland | Getty Images

Almirola, seen here in Victory Lane at Talladega Superspeedway after a NASCAR Xfinity Series win in 2017, has two children -- son Alex (pictured here) and daughter Abby.

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KANSAS CITY, KS - MAY 13:  Joey Logano, driver of the #22 AAA Insurance Ford, Danica Patrick, driver of the #10 Wonder Woman/One Cure Ford, and Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, crash during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 13, 2017 in Kansas City, Kansas.  (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

At Kansas Speedway in 2017, Almirola was involved in a major wreck that sidelined him for seven races. He suffered a compression fracture of his T5 vertebra.

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LOUDON, NH - JULY 14:  Aric Almirola, driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, sits in his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton's 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 14, 2017 in Loudon, New Hampshire.  (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jeff Zelevansky | Getty Images

A little more than two months after his Kansas Speedway accident, Almirola returned to action at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The 2017 season would be the last for Almirola at Richard Petty Motorsports.

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KANNAPOLIS, NC - NOVEMBER 08:  NASCAR driver Aric Almirola (L) and Tony Stewart, co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, answer questions from the media during a press conference at Stewart-Haas Racing on November 8, 2017 in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Stewart-Haas Racing introduced Almirola as their driver of the #10 Smithfield Ford for the 2018 season.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Stewart-Haas Racing via Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Stewart-Haas Racing via Getty Images

Almirola joined Stewart-Haas Racing for the 2018 season, taking over the No. 10 car from Danica Patrick.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 18:  Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Ford, has an on track incident during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 60th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2018 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

In his first points-paying race with Stewart-Haas Racing, Almirola nearly won the Daytona 500. The veteran held the lead on the white-flag lap, but contact from eventual race winner Austin Dillon took him out of contention.

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TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 14:  Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Bacon for Life Ford, celebrates after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 14, 2018 in Talladega, Alabama.  (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

Almirola reached the playoffs in 2018 thanks to consistency. His second NASCAR Cup Series win -- which came after several close calls in 2018 -- at Talladega Superspeedway locked him into the Round of 8.

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PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 11:  Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Ford, walks down pit road following the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am 500 at ISM Raceway on November 11, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona.  (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Almirola came up just a bit short in advancing to the Championship 4 in his first year with Stewart-Haas Racing. His fifth-place finish in the standings was the best of his career at the NASCAR Cup Series level.

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aric almirola

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

In fall of 2019, Almirola advanced to the Round of 16 and had a season-best second-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway.

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Aric Almirola

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

In 2019, Almirola had 12 top-10 finishes and qualified for the NASCAR Playoffs. Almirola got a new crew chief for the 2020 season, Mike Bugarewicz.

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Almirola 1

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Although he went winless in 2020, Almirola posted career-best numbers in top fives (six), top 10s (18) and laps led (305).

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LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE - JULY 18: Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 18, 2021 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) | Getty Images

James Gilbert | Getty Images

Almirola returned to Victory Lane in 2021, punching his ticket into the NASCAR Playoffs with a regular-season win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He ultimately finished 15th in the final standings -- same as 2020.

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KANNAPOLIS, NC - NOVEMBER 08:  NASCAR driver Aric Almirola speaks with fans during a Q&A session following the Stewart-Haas Racing Driver Announcement at Stewart-Haas Racing on November 8, 2017 in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Stewart-Haas Racing introduced Almirola as their driver of the #10 Smithfield Ford for the 2018 season.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Stewart-Haas Racing via Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Almirola announced on Jan. 10 that 2022 will be his final full-time season driving the No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford in the NASCAR Cup Series. Almirola cited the desire to be more present for his wife and children as the reason for eventually stepping away. Smithfield Foods also revealed that it would continue on as a sponsor for the No. 10 Ford. Almirola entered the 2022 season with three wins, 26 top fives and 84 top-10 finishes at the Cup level.

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Aric Almirola waves at Watkins Glen.

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

After announcing his retirement from full-time Cup Series racing in January, Almirola revealed in August at Daytona that he was returning to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2023 for another go-around in the No. 10 Ford with a multiyear deal.

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Sean Gardner | Getty Images

After another year of missing the NASCAR Playoffs and wanting to spend more time with his family, Almirola once again announced his decision to step out of the No. 10 Ford during Martinsville's fall weekend. Despite a down season, the veteran then went out and turned in his finest performance of the season with a runner-up finish at the Virginia short track.

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