Kelley Earnhardt, co-owner and general manager of JR Motorsports, said that Aric Almirola will drive the #88 Chevy for the organization in the Kroger 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis on July 24. Almirola replaces veteran Cup Series driver Elliott Sadler, who had been slated to run the race for JR Motorsports. “I think Aric Almirola is going to drive the car for Indy,” said Earnhardt, citing logistical problems with getting Sadler, who drives the #19 Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports in the Cup Series, settled in the car for the Nationwide Series event at O’Reilly. Earnhardt also mentioned that Almirola, who recently was in the news for serving as a standby relief driver for four-time defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, is one of several drivers being considered for a possible full-time job driving the #88 in the Nationwide Series in 2011. She added that Steve Arpin and Josh Wise, two drivers currently splitting time in the #7 Chevy with Danica Patrick for JR Motorsports, also are under consideration for that job.(NASCAR.com)(7-15-2010)
