Aric Almirola announced Saturday morning on social media that he won’t return to Stewart-Haas Racing after this season.
“After much prayer, consideration and conversations with my family, I’m ready for the next adventure,” he posted.
The 39-year-old Almirola has been with Stewart-Haas Racing since 2018. He scored two of his three career Cup wins with the organization and finished a career-high fifth in the points in 2018 with the organization.
In his statement, Almirola did not clarify what his “next adventure” would be. Stewart-Haas Racing has not stated what its plans will be for the No. 10 team in 2024.
Almirola said Saturday at Martinsville that he hopes to still race.
“I’d like to not quit cold turkey,” he said. “I think there are some opportunities, but it’s hard. It’s challenging to figure out things that make sense for race teams to do it part time.
“Most race teams want somebody to run full-time and race for a championship, so we’ll see if we can get it worked out. I’d love to still scratch the itch, but just don’t want to do it like I have been doing it for the last 12 years, where it’s 38 weeks and it’s a grind.
“I’m not complaining that it’s a grind because I’ve loved it and I signed up for it, but I think, for me, as I look toward the future and what my life looks like, I would like to find a better work-life balance than what I have currently.”
Asked if he would Xfinity races would be a possibility, Almirola said: “Potentially. I’m excited just about having some weekends off, so go back to doing some late model racing like I used to do when I was a kid. If there’s an opportunity to run a handful of Truck races here and there or something like that, or run some Xfinity races, I think the door is open.”
Sponsor Smithfield also announced Saturday that “the time has come for Smithfield to end our NASCAR partnership.” Smithfield has been a sponsor for Almirola since 2012.
Almirola is the second driver leaving Stewart-Haas Racing after this season. Kevin Harvick will retire from full-time Cup racing and move to the Fox broadcast booth after this season. Josh Berry will take over the No. 4 team next season.
— Aric Almirola (@Aric_Almirola) October 28, 2023
Smithfield Foods Statement on NASCAR Sponsorship pic.twitter.com/Z9u5i05ymm
— Smithfield Foods (@SmithfieldFoods) October 28, 2023
