UPDATE: The next step for Aric Almirola’s racing career is still uncertain, the veteran driver told reporters Saturday at Watkins Glen International.
A Friday report from Motorsport.com indicated that Almirola is indeed due to return to the No. 10 Ford at Stewart-Haas Racing for the 2023 season. But Almirola, who announced retirement from the NASCAR Cup Series in January, affirmed Saturday nothing is final for next season.
“A lot of thinking, a lot of praying about it,” Almirola said. “That’s something that’s been very instrumental for me throughout my entire career and especially the last four or five years, I’ve (put) God first in a lot of the decisions, and I’m working on getting there to where He’s first in all of these decisions. Sometimes, I have a bad habit of thinking that I know what’s best. But certainly have prayed a lot about it and continue to think about it and still don’t have a final decision.”
— NASCAR.com —
ORIGINAL POST 8-16-2022: Aric Almirola 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.
— Motorsport —