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BRISTOL, TN – JUNE 10: Team owner Tony Stewart watches his driver and wife during the Motorsport, Herren, USA, Dragster Drag Race Thunder Valley Nationals on June 10, 2023 at the Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tennessee. Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire AUTO: JUN 10 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon9532306100464
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BRISTOL, TN – JUNE 10: Team owner Tony Stewart watches his driver and wife during the Motorsport, Herren, USA, Dragster Drag Race Thunder Valley Nationals on June 10, 2023 at the Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tennessee. Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire AUTO: JUN 10 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon9532306100464
Aric Almirola is currently 39 years old and pretty much a veteran in the NASCAR Cup Series. Having raced in the top echelon since 2007, one would think that it is high time he hung up his boots. Interestingly, he had announced his intention to retire last year, at the end of the season. Then, a few months later, he suddenly reversed that decision and announced that he was continuing his career. Of course, all of this ‘will he, won’t he’ is proving to be vexing for Tony Stewart, part owner of Stewart-Haas Racing.
Mindset. Consistency. Balance. Halfway through the year and we’re as motivated as ever. Win the day. Win the week. Win the year. We were underdogs in 2021 leading into this weekend. No quit in this 10 team. #Iam1stPhorm pic.twitter.com/ZzUmIzi5Y8
— Aric Almirola (@Aric_Almirola) July 14, 2023
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To this day, he has three wins in his NASCAR Cup Series career and is insistent that he still has what it takes. So far in the 2023 Cup Series campaign, he has struggled a lot. Almirola only has one Top 10 finish this year, which came at the Martinsville Speedway. Of course, we are still halfway through the season so there is plenty of time for the Stewart-Haas Racing driver to redeem himself.
Despite the sluggish start, the Tony Stewart backed driver is motivated
Recently on Twitter, he posted a motivational video for his fans. Said video depicted him training and glimpses of his home life. All of this was interspersed with clips of him racing and he promised to never quit. This would obviously come as a relief for SHR owner Tony Stewart. Already, the team is going to bid farewell to Kevin Harvick as he is definitely retiring at the end of the season.
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CHARLOTTE, NC – MAY 29: Aric Almirola 10 Stewart Haas Racing Ford Smithfield Ford looks on prior to the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 29, 2023, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 29 NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2305291719
With Harvick leaving soon, the organisation has to search hard for a worthy successor. If Almirola left as well, then it would only make Stewart’s job harder because he now has to find two drivers. Fortunately, Aric Almirola is confident that he still has a few years left in him. However, Harvick’s departure will mean that either he, Chase Briscoe or Ryan Preece will have to step up and lead from the front.
Can Aric Almirola be a leader for Stewart-Haas Racing?
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Honestly speaking, he does have loads of experience, compared to Briscoe and Preece. Additionally, he would be a great mentor for the two drivers, and whoever SHR rope in to replace Harvick in 2024. Of course, the retirement rumours are not going to die down any time soon. Although Almirola insists that he is not hanging up his helmet, there will come a time when he will seriously consider it.
WATCH THIS STORY: This Surprising Contender Could Potentially Replace Aric Almirola in Tony Stewart’s Team
