The Final Lap – NASCAR News, Radio, Podcast

1 43 Aric Almirola US Air Force Ford 27.988 192.940
2 9 Marcos Ambrose DeWalt Ford 28.184 191.598
3 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe’s Patriotic Chevrolet 28.217 191.374
4 16 Greg Biffle Fastenal Ford 28.234 191.259
5 15 Clint Bowyer 5-hour Energy Toyota 28.243 191.198
6 55 Mark Martin Aaron’s Armed Forces Foundation Toyota 28.247 191.171
7 5 Kasey Kahne Quaker State Chevrolet 28.253 191.130
8 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Ground Toyota 28.289 190.887

THE FINAL LAP WEEKLY – COCA-COLA 600 PREVIEW SHOW

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Richard Petty Motorsports Hires Chase Veteran Mike Ford as No. 43 Crew Chief
Leader Brings Experience of Six Straight Post-Season Berths, 21 Wins

Concord, N.C. (April 30, 2012) – Richard Petty Motorsports asserted its commitment to winning with the hiring of Chase-proven Mike Ford as crew chief for the No. 43 team and driver Aric Almirola. The veteran crew chief joins the team after leading Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 team to six straight post-season appearances in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Ford will join the team immediately and will be atop the pit box in Talladega.

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ARIC ALMIROLA – Kerry Murphey sits down for a chat with Richard Petty Motorsports driver Aric Almirola at Auto Club Speedway. We discuss the importance of driving the 43, getting the call from The King, the Bristol crowd, 48 ruling, his car for California, making the move from NNS to Cup, breaking the Cup news to Dale Jr., working with teammate Marcos Ambrose, Nationwide Series own identity, outlook for Martinsville and more.

(About 8 mins)

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Nationwide Series Rising Star will drive the No. 43 Pilot Flying J Ford Mustang Full Time in 2012

CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 26, 2012) – Richard Petty Motorsports announced today the formation of a new NASCAR Nationwide Series team with driver Michael Annett and his long-time partner Pilot Flying J. The team will be run out of RPM’s Concord, N.C. race shop and will vie for the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship.

Annett, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, comes to Richard Petty Motorsports after spending last season at Rusty Wallace, Inc. He has posted 13 top-10 finishes in 105 Nationwide Series starts and drove to a ninth-place finish in the championship points standings last season.

“They say that when one door closes, another door opens, and that is most definitely true,” said Annett. “We were left scrambling a bit because of the situation with RWI and were unsure what the future held, but I couldn’t be happier with the way things have turned out. To have the chance to race for Richard Petty and to be under the RPM umbrella is amazing. It has all come together really quickly, but together with Pilot Flying J and Ford, this is the best opportunity I have ever had to race a Nationwide Series car. There’s a lot to be done before we get to Daytona in a few weeks and I can’t wait to dive in and get started.”

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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.”

STATEMENT FROM RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS
REGARDING THE BEST BUY SPONSORSHIP

Concord, N.C. (Dec. 20, 2011) – “We have had a successful and rewarding relationship with Best Buy for the past few years and appreciate all they have done for us,” stated Richard Petty, co-owner of Richard Petty Motorsports. “Although it is very disappointing that Best Buy is changing directions at this late date, we wish all of our friends there the best in their future endeavors.

“Our plan has always been to run a two-car team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012 and we are continuing down that path,” said Petty. “We have several partners that remain committed to the No. 43 team. We will move forward and explore all of our options in regard to the No. 43 program in the coming weeks.”

Kerry talks with everybody’s favorite Australian NASCAR driver, Marcos Ambrose before the race at Phoenix. We find out his thoughts on the new re-pave, why he’s figured out ovals, and his top 3 career moments.   Have a listen mate!

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