In an extension of its extremely successful diversity program, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) will partner with Morgan Dollar Motorsports (MDM) and enter driver Aric Almirola in the #47 Chevrolet Silverado in the O’ Reilly 200 for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) at Memphis (Tenn.) Motorsports Park. FedEx Express, which is headquartered in Memphis, will serve as the primary sponsor of the #47 machine while The Home Depot and Joe Gibbs Performance Motor Oil will serve as associate partners on the truck. Almirola, a 21-year-old Hispanic driver from Tampa, Fla., will attempt to make his first career NCTS start July 23 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Almirola is also scheduled to compete in the NCTS event at Indianapolis Raceway Park on August 5. Almirola is in his second year of NASCAR Weekly Racing Series competition. The driver of the #92 Home Depot Chevrolet with associate sponsorship from Rockwell Automation and Cintas has racked up four wins so far this season as he competes in big Late Model races throughout the Southeast. Last year, Almirola competed at the .4-mile Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, N.C., recording two wins, six top-fives and 15 top-10s. The link between JGR and MDM began in 2004 when both Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart participated in the Chevrolet Silverado Celebrity All Star program. Between the two NASCAR Cup Series champions, they have driven the #47 Silverado a total of eight times in 2004 and 2005, scoring one win and five top-five finishes. Overall, the #47 Silverado has a total of 15 starts in its existence and has posted a remarkable record of one win, seven top-five and seven top-10 finishes. JGR’s diversity program traces it roots back to May of 2003. In partnership with the late Reggie White, a Hall of Fame defensive end who played in the National Football League, JGR formed the diversity program to create a grassroots stock car team that would identify and assist minorities with the desire and talent to make a career in motorsports. In January of 2004 the diversity program became reality, thanks in large part to the support of JGR’s sponsors, most notably, The Home Depot and MBNA, the team’s primary sponsors, and Rockwell Automation and Cintas the team’s associate sponsors. Prior to the opportunity with MDM, Almirola participated in a GM-directed test session at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C.(GM PR)(7-20-2005)
