[tkj24]

Almirola to share Martin ride in ‘08

By JIM UTTER, jutter@charlotteobserver.com
JOLIET, Ill. – Aric Almirola is set to join Ginn Racing next season to split the 2008 season in the organization’s No. 01 Chevrolet team with veteran Mark Martin, the Observer has learned.
Almirola, a 23-year-old Tampa native, is currently a development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing and has run 22 Busch races, 30 Truck races and made one Cup start in is brief NASCAR career and remains under contract with JGR. It remains unclear how that status will be resolved.
Regan Smith has been splitting the 2007 schedule this season with Martin in the No. 01 but will move fulltime next season at Ginn. Ginn team manager Jay Frye said earlier this month the organization planned to run another young driver with Martin in 2008.
Almirola will split the No. 01 as well as run several Busch and perhaps Automobile Racing Club of America races as well in preparation to a fulltime move to Cup in 2009, multiple sources said.
An official announcement of Almirola’s plans could come as early as the Indianapolis race weekend later this month. Officials with Ginn and JGR had already left the track late Sunday and unavailable for comment.
Almirola has one Busch victory to his credit, when he started the June 23 race at Milwaukee but was pulled from the car and replaced with JGR Cup driver Denny Hamlin, who went on to claim the victory.

[Quality88]

Well, if this holds true, then that stupid sponsor can take the blame for Gibbs losin a hell of an up-and-comin driver

[tkj24]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Well, if this holds true, then that stupid sponsor can take the blame for Gibbs losin a hell of an up-and-comin driver

I agree with you. He was doing great in that race and they jurked him out and put Hamlin in.

[jks812]

I agree too. Sounds like Ginn is using his head, taking a young driver who seems to have a good bit of potential and letting Mark work with him.

[Jeffrey4318]

well if it is true you will not see Aric in a busch car anymore this year. I'm sure if he isn't in JGR's future he will be let go for the rest of the year. Ginn has already folded his busch program. Unless DEI fields a car for him

[Nevadastars]

Good for him. He got boned by Rockwell Automation after putting the car on the pole and staying in the top 3 until he got yanked out of his seat for a pretty boy driver. Nothing against Hamlin, but it just wasnt right. I hope he does well in his new ride.

[nascarfan24]

It wasn't right but it was the plan the whole time. He knew the second he hopped in he could and probably would be taken out.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Well, if this holds true, then that stupid sponsor can take the blame for Gibbs losin a hell of an up-and-comin driver

I thought we found out the culprit in that race was the crew, crew chief and Gibbs mgmt, not the sponsor. the Gibbs gang yanked Aric because they were "honoring and thanking" their sponsor at the sponsor's home track. not saying the sponsor didn't know before hand it was going to be done, but they didn't make the request...

[SteelPhoenyx]

Maybe its just my weird way of thinking... but it looks like Aric's getting pulled from that car has only had good things come out of it for him. I personally didn't really pay much attention to who he was until that fateful race. Seeing that he had the pole, seeing him do a damn good run until he got yanked out of the car* brought him to my attention. How many others is it the same for? Ginn was all over it, apparently. So, I said to my husband that Aric was going to be one to watch... I'm glad he's going to Cup, even if it is part time for starters.

Think he'll make rookie of the year?


*Yes, I still think that was screwed... even though I understand Gibbs' "reasoning" behind it.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by SteelPhoenyx

Think he'll make rookie of the year?

Depending on how many races he gets to run he could but when you look what happens to Mark in the points you'll see that by running part time next year he will lose several opportunities to gain points for the ROY title.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Depending on how many races he gets to run he could but when you look what happens to Mark in the points you'll see that by running part time next year he will lose several opportunities to gain points for the ROY title.

Aric has been a solid performer in CTS as well as a good stand-in in Busch. being a part time driver in Cup will make him more $$$ per race, but a decision will have to be made early on whether they want to hold him back in 2008 so he can run for ROY in '09 or not. It won't hurt his career either way, but could be a benefit to him and the organization if they limit his appearances and put him testing the COT in the 'tween times: gives him lots of seat time to learn the COT and a few appearances to show his stuff. then he could hit the ground running in '09 and potentially win ROY a-n-d be in the Chase. 'course he's a hot-headed young driver and that'd be holding him back which isn't something drivers like him like to do....

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Aric has been a solid performer in CTS as well as a good stand-in in Busch. being a part time driver in Cup will make him more $$$ per race, but a decision will have to be made early on whether they want to hold him back in 2008 so he can run for ROY in '09 or not. It won't hurt his career either way, but could be a benefit to him and the organization if they limit his appearances and put him testing the COT in the 'tween times: gives him lots of seat time to learn the COT and a few appearances to show his stuff. then he could hit the ground running in '09 and potentially win ROY a-n-d be in the Chase. 'course he's a hot-headed young driver and that'd be holding him back which isn't something drivers like him like to do....

Well possibly if he knows the schedule right up front he may be able to deal with it. It would almost seem to be advantageous to the team to be able to break him into the series gently with a good teacher working with him.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Well possibly if he knows the schedule right up front he may be able to deal with it. It would almost seem to be advantageous to the team to be able to break him into the series gently with a good teacher working with him.

I knew there was something I had forgotten to say.... thanks!

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

I knew there was something I had forgotten to say.... thanks!

Don't worry Ducky ... it's just that old codger syndrome kicking in !!!