Almirola, 38, has agreed to return to Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 10 Ford team for the 2023 season, multiple sources with knowledge of Almirola’s decision have confirmed to Motorsport.com.
Smithfield Foods is also expected to return as the primary sponsor of the No. 10 for what will now be his final season, sources said. They have been a partner of Almirola’s for the last decade.
An official announcement of Almirola’s plans is expected within the next two weeks.
A spokesperson for SHR did not immediately return a request for comment on Friday afternoon.
In a Zoom call with reporters earlier this week, SHR’s chief competition director, Greg Zipadelli, was asked about uncertainty regarding the driver of the No. 10.
“We’ve waited a lot longer to make some of those decisions to try to build around, so I think we’ll be fine there,” he said. “We’ve got a couple of good options and just kind of waiting to see how everything plays out.”
The Silly Season picture
The decision by Almirola also eliminates the No. 10 as an option in 2023 for Kyle Busch, who remains without a confirmed ride in the Cup Series next season. Busch’s current contract with Joe Gibbs Racing expires at the end of this season and he has yet to agree to an extension.
SHR’s driver lineup will now look the same in 2023 as this season provided Cole Custer returns to the No. 41. Asked about Custer’s return, Zipadelli said, “Right now, I believe that’s what our plan is.”
In early January, Almirola announced the 2022 season would be his last driving fulltime in NASCAR competition.
At the time, he said he wanted to devote more time to his family, his wife Janice and son, Alex, and daughter, Abby.
“I want to win and I want to be a champion, but at the end of the day, I know that those things mean way less than being there for my family,” Almirola said then. “I made it to the highest level of American motorsports as a professional race car driver. It’s been amazing, with a lot of ups and downs and everything in between.
“I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Aric Almirola, Stewart Haas Racing, Smithfield Ford Mustang
Photo by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Images
However, in recent months, there has been growing speculation Almirola was reconsidering his retirement and would return to SHR for one more season.
“I haven’t put much thought into (returning) at all just going throughout the course of…
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