NASCAR Cup Series

RPM gives Almirola a chance in No. 43

Published Jan. 4, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Richard Petty Motorsports looked beyond the cast of regular candidates in naming Aric Almirola as driver the No. 43 Ford on Wednesday.

Almirola, 27, replaces the affable AJ Allmendinger, who was selected to drive the No. 22 Shell Dodge for Penske Racing last month. Almirola becomes the ninth driver to pilot the revered No. 43 since Petty retired following the 1992 NASCAR season.

“One of the things I am most excited about is to have the chance to drive a car as iconic as the No. 43,” Almirola said. “There is so much history surrounding that number, and to have my name above the door will be really special for me.

“This is the first real opportunity I’ve had to drive in the Cup series full time. Last year, the No. 43 team had a lot of speed and was competitive on a weekly basis. Greg Erwin is a great crew chief, and I’m excited to work with him. Everyone at Richard Petty Motorsports has a lot of enthusiasm and drive, and I’m really looking forward to getting to work.”

With limited Sprint Cup experience and only one top-five finish in 35 starts, Almirola's selection by RPM appears curious. Almirola was selected over David Ragan, a proven winner in the Sprint Cup Series who sources say was seeking less compensation for the driving role. Team owner Andy Murstein, who expressed sincere interest in Kurt Busch before the former champ’s decision to join Phoenix Racing following the 2011 season, considers Almirola “a great match” for the team, as well as for the existing and potential sponsors.

"We were very fortunate to be approached by not one, not two, but at least five strong candidates for the job,” Murstein said. “Many of the drivers expressed what an honor it would be to get (behind) the wheel of the legendary (No.) 43. In the end we felt Aric was the best fit. He has tremendous potential.

"We have had the chance to watch his progress for the past several years, and we had success with him. He finished fourth driving for us at Homestead a few years back, and he finished fourth in this year’s Nationwide Series.

“America is about opportunity. And rather than take an existing Sprint Cup driver, it's great to be able to take an up-and-comer from the Nationwide Series and give him an opportunity to prove himself at the highest level in the sport.”

Murstein added that Almirola “communicated well” with the team when he was selected to succeed Kasey Kahne in the No. 9 Ford for the final five races in 2010. Under the direction of veteran Kenny Francis, Almirola finished a career-high fourth in the season finale at Homestead.

Almirola, a Cuban-American, will partner with Greg Erwin, who joined RPM before the Brickyard 400 last summer. The proven crew chief re-signed with the company last month before the news that Allmendinger and Best Buy were leaving.

“Aric had a very good chemistry with our organization,” Murstein said. “Chemistry can not be underestimated, as it often means the difference between success and failure. We also feel that Aric is not only a very good driver but a class act. That also fits well with what Richard has successfully built over a lifetime. A winning organization that conducts themselves in a first-class manner both on and off the track."

Still, the glaring lack of sponsorship cannot be overlooked. RPM, which inherited a wealth of sponsorship when it merged with Gillett Evernham Motorsports, has lost all but Stanley, which continues to support the No. 9 and driver Marcos Ambrose, and possibly the Air Force. RPM experienced a tremendous blow last month after Best Buy changed course and joined the uber successful Roush Fenway Racing and champion Matt Kenseth.

Smithfield Foods is expected to come on board as a limited sponsor for the No. 43 Ford, but Murstein remains optimistic his team can fill the void.

"We feel confident we will find a sponsor for the 43,” Murstein said. “I know that's a tough statement to make, given the state of the economy and given the fact that many organizations have downsized this year, but there is only one 43 that competes in NASCAR.

“There is only one 43 that has won more races than any other number in the history of the sport. There is only one 43 that has the tradition of excellence and the Petty name behind it. I know a sponsor will recognize that and will be proud to put their name and logo on the car, so I feel it's just a matter of time until we find that sponsor."

Last winter, Murstein and his partner Doug Bergeron rescued RPM from near extinction. In August, the new organization got its first Cup victory with Ambrose, at Watkins Glen International. Allmendinger just barely missed a Chase for the Sprint Cup berth and finished a career-best 15th.

Despite a change in management from the start of last season and the current challenges that lie ahead, Murstein confidently offered the organization a grade of A-minus for its first year.

"Considering how far we have come, I could have given us an A, but I am a competitive person and always expect more,” Murstein said. “One year ago, this great legacy was at risk of going out of business, and that would have been a travesty for the sport.

"Over the last year, we not only helped get them back on their feet but had both of our cars in the top 20. Both drivers had career years, and, of course, we won a race at Watkins Glen. Both drivers also conducted themselves well both on and off of the track with no negative incidents, no fights, no issues. They both showed respect and represented themselves extremely well to their sponsors, their crew chiefs, their team members and to their fans. That is the Petty way."

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