PRESS RELEASE

08.18.10

JR Motorsports cemented an integral part of its future Wednesday by signing Aric Almirola to a multi-year driving contract for the company’s flagship No. 88 NASCAR Nationwide Series team starting in 2011, general manager Kelley Earnhardt announced today.

A 26-year-old native of Tampa, Fla., Almirola has 32 career Nationwide Series starts, including one for JR Motorsports in which he finished third at O’Reilly Raceway Park in July.  Almirola’s full-time duties as the No. 88 driver will officially begin in 2011, but he could potentially fill the seat in select races this season while he continues to run for a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship.

“The chance to drive full time in the Nationwide Series with a top caliber team is something I am extremely excited about,” Almirola said.  “I was at the shop yesterday, and Kelley gathered all the employees around to announce our deal.  The energy and excitement was addicting.  We raced at ORP together a month ago and had a really good run.  There is no reason why we cannot compete like that every race, and there is no reason why we shouldn’t be running for a championship.  I would expect nothing less.” Continue reading →