Aric Almirola didn’t expect to be driving the No. 10 car for Stewart-Haas Racing at Michigan International Speedway this weekend. Well, this was before Almirola went back on his announced retirement and decided to return to the NASCAR organization for the 2023 season.
The 39-year-old driver announced before the 2022 season that it would be his final full-time campaign in the NASCAR Cup Series. After pushes to return from both Stewart-Haas Racing and his sponsor, Smithfield Foods, Almirola decided to give them another year.
Now, his decision on retirement for the 2024 season needs to be made sooner rather than later. Almirola was previously reported to be “widely expected” to retire; however, when will an official decision be made? The Stewart-Haas Racing driver gave a rough timeline before last weekend’s event.
Related: Stewart-Haas Racing heavily linked to rising NASCAR star to replace Aric Almirola in 2024
Aric Almirola talks about his retirement decision, reveals timeline for Stewart-Haas Racing
It has not been a great season for Almirola to this point and this will certainly factor into his decision on whether to return or not. Through 22 races, the driver of the No. 10 car has two top-10 finishes and sits 24th in the point standings.
To give Almirola some slack, the entirety of Stewart-Haas Racing has been performing below expectations. Kevin Harvick, who is set to retire at the conclusion of the 2023 NASCAR season, represents the highest driver in points with the organization. Harvick is the only driver in the top 20 spots of the standings.
Due to Harvick’s retirement, the only Stewart-Haas Racing driver currently in the NASCAR playoffs will be departing the organization. Josh Berry, a JR Motorsports driver, will replace the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion but this is another reason why Almirola’s decision is very important.
In fact, it is so important that Stewart-Haas Racing has asked the Florida native to provide an answer sooner rather than later. According to RACER’s Kelly Crandall, Almirola said the NASCAR organization needs to know in the next 30-60 days so plans can be made if needed. Almirola talked more about the decision ahead.
“(Stewart-Haas Racing) have to plan for the future way more than I do. I’m very capable of pivoting and changing and switching, but the race team, there are a lot of moving parts with the race team. So, the race team certainly needs to have an idea of what’s going on and the sooner, the better…Those are active discussions and there are a lot of moving parts. There are a lot of variables, and it’s complicated. It’s not very easy.”
Aric Almirola on his upcoming retirment decision with Stewart-Haas Racing
The idea of retirement is hard for any athlete in professional sports but in NASCAR, it is one that has a major effect on the organization. Since NASCAR is very dependent on sponsorship, it makes finding a replacement harder than other sports.
If Almirola decides to step away for good this time, it could cause a ripple effect that sees Smithfield Foods leave as well. Then, it would be Stewart-Haas Racing’s task to find both a driver and sponsorship instead of needing one of the two areas.
The organization needs to know and there have been plenty of names linked to the No. 10 car, such as Zane Smith, Todd Gilliland, and Michael McDowell. The noise will not die down until a decision is made one way or another in the near future.
This might be it for Almirola and if this is his final season, there should be nothing but positive feelings on his end. There will be celebration and disappointment from Stewart-Haas Racing as it would lose Almirola; however, the world needs to know soon so these plans can be put into action.