Aric Almirola (No. 80 Joe Gibbs Driven Chevrolet) will climb the final rung of the NASCAR ladder system when he attempts to qualify for Sunday’s UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400.
Just three years ago, Almirola was racing late model stock cars in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series as part of the Joe Gibbs/Reggie White Driver Development Program. Almirola, a Tampa, Fla., native of Cuban descent, was selected from almost 200 applicants to compete in a full season at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, N.C.
He impressed Joe Gibbs Racing officials with his performance that season, finishing with two wins, six top fives and 15 top 10s.
“Everybody gets their chance or their break, and that was mine, †Almirola said. Now it’s up to me to take it and run with it. The fact of the matter is racing is a sport, and just like any other sport, you have to perform. â€
Over the past three years, Almirola has continued to shine. He had two top-10 finishes in four starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at the end of 2005 to earn a full-time ride in the series.
In 2006, Almirola grabbed the pole position at The Milwaukee Mile while qualifying for teammate Denny Hamlin. It was only his third qualifying attempt in the NASCAR Busch Series.
This year, Almirola is running 18 NASCAR Busch Series races. He earned his second career Busch pole at the season-opening Orbitz 300 at Daytona International Speedway.
“Everybody at Joe Gibbs Racing obviously believes in me or else they wouldn’t be putting me in this situation, †Almirola said. “That definitely gives me a lot of confidence and it’s a good feeling to know that everybody supports me 100 percent. â€
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