In news that was first reported by Sports Business Daily’s Adam Stern on Tuesday, Aric Almirola will be back with Stewart-Haas Racing in the No. 10 car for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. The report from Stern sited confirmation that Smithfield will return for another season as primary sponsor from Smithfield Chief Commercial Officer of Packaged Meats John Pauley.
Tuesday afternoon, Almirola confirmed the news via his Twitter account:
It's true. I'm back. @SmithfieldBrand's back. 2021 will mark 10 years together. And back with the No. 10 team at @StewartHaasRcng. That’s my version of a perfect 10. pic.twitter.com/vsxXHQNlC5
— Aric Almirola (@Aric_Almirola) September 1, 2020
This means that three of SHR’s four driver slots for 2021 have been solidified. The lone driver at SHR who is still negotiating a deal for next season would be Clint Bowyer, who drives the No. 14 car for the organization.
While Almirola has made the Playoffs in each of his three seasons with Stewart-Haas Racing, 2020 truly feels like it’s been his breakout season. Despite not recording a win to this point, Almirola has been a true fixture in the top-10 this season, as he scored nine-consecutive top-10 finishes between Homestead in June and New Hampshire in August.
With 10-races remaining in 2020, Almirola has already set career highs in top-five finishes (five) and laps led (287). He is just three top-10 finishes away from equaling his most top-10s in a season.
