The decision to take Aric Almirola out of the Joe Gibbs Racing Busch Series car on Saturday night at Milwaukee was purely a business decision. JGR president J.D. Gibbs said it then became a group decision to put Hamlin into the car. “What I said to those guys as a group was, ‘If you think Denny can get in the car and win the race let’s go, let’s do that. If you don’t think he can do that, let Aric run it out,'” Gibbs said before Sunday’s Cup race. Hamlin, after falling a lap down, won the race that officially will go in the record books as a victory for Almirola. Almirola wasn’t around to enjoy it, having left the track without talking to reporters. “He’s upset,” Gibbs said. “I left a message for him last night. I know he’s upset. Hey, I understand that. I would be too if I were in his shoes.” Gibbs said long term the decision may benefit Almirola. He’s hoping to put the young driver into a full-time Busch program next season with Rockwell as the primary sponsor. Gibbs said Almirola will receive his full share of winnings and possibly pick up one of Hamlin’s Busch races later in the year.(ESPN.com)(6-24-2007)
