In a Saturday morning social media statement, Aric Almirola announced that he will not be returning to Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10 in the NASCAR Cup Series.
“After much prayer, consideration and conversations with my family, I’m ready for the next adventure,” he posted.
The 39-year-old has been with Stewart-Haas since 2018. Almirola had planned to retire at the end of last season but decided halfway through that he would return for 2023. He has went through a similar process this season.
He did not expound on what the ‘next adventure’ would entail but the move does leave the No. 10 open for a new driver.
Almirola has three Cup Series wins, two of them coming with Stewart-Haas, finishing a career-high fifth in the Cup Series standings in 2018. He has amassed 458 Cup Series start but also has four Xfinity wins and two in the Truck Series.
Adjacent to this announcement is that longtime sponsor Smithfield Foods will end its NASCAR activation at the end of the season too. Smithfield has partnered with Almirola since his first full-time Cup Series season in 2012.
Tony Stewart, who co-owns Stewart-Haas Racing with Gene Haas, issued a statement detailing their time together.
“I’m proud of everything Aric has accomplished and am especially proud that his last six years have been with Stewart-Haas Racing,” Stewart wrote. “He and Smithfield formed an incredible partnership that resonated on and off the racetrack, and a lot of that is a testament to Aric.
“He always puts forth maximum effort and he makes everyone around him better. Simply put, he’s a great person – an awesome dad to Alex and Abby and an exceptional husband to Janice. I know all of them really well and am genuinely happy for their next steps together as a family.
“Smithfield has been an outstanding partner and a NASCAR staple for more than a decade. Their platform with Aric was a model for the sport and it was an honor to represent them.”
Almirola has been tied to several Xfinity Series opportunities for next season, thus the closing line of his statement.
“As for the future … Proverbs 19:21.”
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Meanwhile, Noah Gragson is expected to eventually land in the No. 10 for next season, after a deal with Kaulig Racing failed to get across the finish line. At this time, no agreement has been finalized between Gragson and SHR.
Matt Weaver is a Motorsports Insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter.