Sprint Cup Driver Focus — The Glen Begins Busy Month for Almirola
By Bram • Aug 5th, 2008 • Category: Notes, Sprint Cup Series, Your Series. Your Driver.
Aric Almirola (Getty Images)
It will be the sixth Cup race of the season for the 24-year-old rookie and his first since last month’s announcement that he will pilot the No. 8 entry full-time for Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2009.
Almirola, who has been sharing the No. 8 ride with Mark Martin, is scheduled to compete in 12 Cup races this season, including three in the next four weeks. His last Cup race was June 29 in New Hampshire.
Though a road course venue might not be a favorite setting at this stage of his career, Almirola is looking forward to the challenge after claiming a respectable outing in his first career Cup road race in June at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.
“Once I started to get a hang of racing on a road course I actually started to like it,” said Almirola, who finished 28th in Sonoma. “The goal for Watkins Glen will be the same as in Sonoma — to keep all four tires on the pavement and get the best finish possible in the soldiers’ car.”
Tony Gibson, crew chief for the No. 8 team, was impressed with Almirola’s road course debut in Sonoma and feels the young talent from Tampa, Fla. will continue to be a quick study.
“Aric did everything we asked of him — and more,” said Gibson of Almirola’s performance in Sonoma. “He kept the car out of trouble, stayed on the lead lap and improved as the race went on. He’s a quick learner, who has loads of talent.”
Sunday’s event in upstate New York will be the start of three Cup races in a four-week span for Almirola, who will also drive the No. 8 Chevy Impala SS at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway (Aug. 23) and at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif (Aug. 31).
“Don’t get me wrong, I am fortunate to learn from Mark (Martin), but being on the sidelines is not any fun,” said Almirola. “I want to get in there and be part of the action. I am really looking forward to the next four weeks, driving the Army Chevy and representing our brave soldiers.”
Along with Watkins Glen being his sixth Cup race of the season, it will also mark Almirola’s 12th career Cup start. He drove in six Cup races last year.
