Emphasizing an eye on the future along with solidifying the foundation of its NASCAR Nextel Cup program, Ginn Racing announced the following transaction.
Aric Almirola, the 23-year-old Busch stalwart and a member of the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) program the past four years, has signed with Ginn Racing. He will become Mark Martin’s co-driver in the 01 U. S. Army Chevrolet for the remainder of the 2007 season and will also share the ride with Martin in 2008.
His first race in the 01 will be Aug. 12 at the road course in Watkins Glen, N.Y. As part of his contractual obligations, Almirola will compete in five remaining Busch races for JGR this season.
Almirola, a Tampa, Fla. native of Cuban descent, was one of Joe Gibbs Racing’s first prospects in the company’s diversity program founded by Gibbs and the late Reggie White, an initiative that traces its roots back to 2003.
“I am so excited about this opportunity, ” said Almirola, who has three Busch Series poles and a victory, as he co-drove with Denny Hamlin to win the June 23rd race at The Milwaukee Mile. “To share a ride with Mark Martin and have him as a driving coach is awesome. I want to thank everyone at Ginn Racing for believing in me and also to all of the people who have supported me along the way. I just can’t wait to get on with this ride. It’s going to be such an honor to represent the U. S. Army and all of our soldiers. Wearing the Army uniform will mean so much to me. ”
“I can’t thank Joe Gibbs Racing enough for what they’ve done for me, ” added Almirola. “They allowed me to get to this position by giving me a chance at a time when I had a lot of desire but little money. The equipment they gave me and the people they surrounded me with made me a better race car driver and a better person. They saw what this opportunity with Ginn Racing meant to me, and they didn’t stand in the way. Joe Gibbs Racing will always have a special place in my heart. ”
Almirola, who has competed in 13 Busch races and one Cup event this season, was introduced to racing by his mother’s father – Sam Rodriguez, a Florida native. Almirola’s father, Ralph, came to the United States from Cuba at age four during the Freedom Flights of the mid-1960s.
Almirola began his JGR career driving a late model in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series at the. 4-mile Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, N.C., in 2004. After scoring two wins, six top-fives and 15 top-10s, Almirola traversed the Southeast competing in regional late model races.
By the end of 2005, Almirola was running a limited schedule in the Craftsman Truck Series, which led to a full-time Truck Series ride and a nine-race Busch Series schedule in 2006.
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