The Final Lap with Kerry Murphey

ARIC ALMIROLA SIGNS WITH RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS
Nationwide Series standout will pilot the famed No. 43 Ford Fusion in 2012

CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 4, 2012) – Richard Petty Motorsports announced today that Aric Almirola will drive the legendary No. 43 Ford Fusion in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition beginning in 2012.

Almirola has made 35 starts in the Sprint Cup Series, his most recent stint coming in 2010 when he finished the last five races of the season in the No. 9 Ford. During the final race of the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the Tampa, Fla., native posted a career-high, fourth-place effort. Almirola drove a JR Motorsports entry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2011 and capped off a successful season with a fourth-place finish in the championship point standings.

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Note: This release came to our email @ 11:52am eastern, well after Penske’s announcement that AJ had already joined them at 11:23 am.

STATEMENT FROM RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS
REGARDING THE RELEASE OF AJ ALLMENDINGER

CONCORD, N.C. (Dec. 21, 2011) – “Richard Petty Motorsports has released AJ Allmendinger to pursue other opportunities within the sport,” stated team Chief Executive Officer Brian Moffitt. “AJ is a talented driver whom we all enjoyed working with and we wish him the best.”

“Our plan remains to run a two-car team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012 and we are continuing down that path,” said Moffitt. “We believe there are several very talented drivers who are still available and would embrace the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the legendary No. 43 Ford Fusion. We continue to move forward and are optimistic about the future of this race team.”