We all thought it would be David Ragan in the seat of the No. 43 come Daytona testing, but that's not the case. JPM Nationwide driver Aric Almirola announced that he will be driving the legendary 43 car in 2012 on Wednesday. With 73 starts and 1 win in the Nationwide series he is moving up the ranks. He has 35 starts in the Cup series and he is ecstatic to drive the famous 43 car.
"One of the things I am most excited about is to have the chance to drive a car as iconic as the No. 43," Almirola said. "There is so much history surrounding that number and to have my name above the door will be really special for me."
RPM is on the verge of becoming a Chase contending team in the series and Almirola will continue that stride to the top. How cool would it be for Richard Petty to win another championship with his team? Almirola will be teamed with crew chief Greg Erwin.
Aric Almirola started at Joe Gibbs Racing as a member of the Reggie White Drive for Diversity program. In 2005 he had his debut in the Truck Series and drove for JGR's Nationwide team in 2006. He also drove a part-time schedule in Cup for Dale Earnhardt Inc. before moving back to Trucks in 2008. He has drove for JRM in Nationwide since then.
Even though I am disappointed not seeing David Ragan drive the 43 for RPM I think Aric Almirola is a good match for the team. He has a ton of experience and I think he is a possible winner (perhaps a Chase contender) in the Cup series.
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