Aric Almirola shares thoughts on ideal racing schedule

After 12 NASCAR Cup Series seasons, Aric Almirola stepped away from full-time competition at the end of the 2023 season.

While the 40-year-old driver has not announced any racing plans for 2024, Almirola described his ideal racing schedule.

“I think just racing on a limited basis to do it where I’m having fun and competing at a high level,” Almirola said to The Racing Experts.

At times in 2023, Almirola showed he still has the prowess to keep going.

Almirola won the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Sonoma Raceway in June. Then, on October 29, a day after announcing he would step away from full-time racing, Almirola nearly won the Cup Series race at Martinsville.

In terms of laps led, the veteran trailed only Chase Briscoe at Stewart-Haas Racing in 2023 (184 vs. 173).

Whatever he chooses to race, statistics and experience show he has something to bring to the table.

Aric Almirola spent six seasons piloting the No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing entry. Prior to that, he spent six seasons driving the No. 43 Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports.

Throughout his tenure at NASCAR’s top level, Almirola won three races. In 2018, his first year at SHR, he finished a career-high fifth place in points.

Almirola said he has no desire to be in a racecar just for the sake of being in one, or at a non-competitive level.

“I’m not going to keep racing just to keep a job and to keep a paycheck,” Almirola said. “That’s just not even in the cards for me. My identity is not wrapped up in being a racecar driver.”