Aric Almirola will retire from NASCAR at the end of the 2022 season.
Aric Almirola, the driver of Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 10 car, revealed on Monday that he will retire at the end of the season. In 388 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series, the 37-year-old has won three races.
On the same day that Almirola announced his retirement, his principal sponsor Smithfield announced that it had renewed its sponsorship of the No. 1o Stewart-Haas car. Smithfield has been Almirola’s sponsor since 2012.
Almirola’s switch from Richard Petty Motorsports to Stewart-Haas ahead of the 2018 season was largely influenced by the company. The best season for the American driver was his debut season with Stewart Haas where he won at Talladega and ranked fifth in the points standings.
“To be the best in this business you’ve got to be selfish and for the last 37 years my life has always revolved around me and what I needed to do,” Almirola told the Press.
“I want to be present. I want to be the best husband and father, and that to me means more than being a racecar driver.
“So it’s one more year where I’m all in on racing, where we’ll do whatever it takes to compete at the highest level. But when the season is over,” he continued.
“I’ll be ready to wave goodbye. I’ve loved every minute of it, but it’s time for the next chapter of my life.”
In the 2021 NASCAR Cup season Almirola ranked 15th after qualifying for the playoffs with a summer win at New Hampshire. Despite having had a dismal season, he was able to make the playoffs thanks to the win.
As for a potential replacement for Almirola come 2023, Stewart-Haas Racing recently signed Ryan Preece to serve as the reserve driver for Almirola, Kevin Harvick, Cole Custer and Chase Briscoe.
