The hopes for a solid day from Stewart Haas Racing’s Aric Almirola were diminished after a Lap 7 crash, ending the day for the Florida driver.
Almirola was racing with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. off turn two when Stenhouse slid up into Almriola’s rear quarter panel, sending the No. 10 Ford into the inside wall.
Huge damage for Aric Almirola at Darlington.#NASCARonFS1 pic.twitter.com/TcwH8LpoxV
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 9, 2021
The Smithfield Mustang went head-on into the wall, with the ending damage elevating the front tires from the ground, and the front splitter being tucked under the front end of the car. Almirola walked away under his own power.
“It’s been a horrible year, nothing but bad luck,” Almirola told FOX Sports following the crash.
Almirola is scored finishing 37th in the Goodyear 400, marking the fourth finish of 34th or worse in 2021 for the No. 10 team. The crash also records his fourth DNF in 12 races.
