Almirola leaves S&P Phoenix Racing team

[TeamBlueOval]

Aric Almirola, who qualified for four of the first seven Sprint Cup races for Phoenix Racing, said Monday he has mutually agreed to part ways with the team and will focus on competing for the Camping World Truck Series title with Billy Ballew Motorsports.

Phoenix Racing lost its sponsorship from Miccosukee Resort & Gaming prior to the start of the season and has dropped out of the four races with Almirola within 60 laps.

“We both agreed it was time to do something different,” Almirola said in a phone interview. “I am going to focus a lot more on my truck program, which is really important to me and Billy Ballew Motorsports and all the guys over there.

Read more by clicking here (http://www.scenedaily.com/news/articles/sprintcupseries/Aric_Almirola_will_focus_on_Truck_Series_team_afte r_parting_ways_with_Phoenix_Racing.html) -- talks about his truck efforts, etc.


I think this was a good move--get out of that start and parking deal and race where it really matters. :)

[RacingDude]

Gotta tip my hat to him. It's not in his best interest to worry about S&P'ing in Cup when he can go for a Truck championship.

[roosterrage]

Makes perfect sense. What a fall for the Finch team since winning last year with Keselowski- lose the Micosukkee sponsorship, a driver, miss races, etc.

[TeamBlueOval]

Well, when Keselowski was driving the car, it was a HENDRICK car with a HENDRICK motor with HENDRICK support.

All other races they run DODGES with Ernie Elliott motors and NO support from another team.

[roosterrage]

I thought this year with Almirola it was a Chevy too?

[TeamBlueOval]

I was actually talking about last year, I didn't know their situation this year since they lost sponsorship.

BUT, after looking, you are correct, they are running Chevy this year, with Earnhardt Childress engines. Of course, with no sponsorship, though, it really doesn't matter what engines they have because the are headed to the garage after a few laps...

[roosterrage]

Yep, you're right it doesn't matter. I'm glad Reed didn't end up there because it was rumored he was one of their top drivers wanted.

[TeamBlueOval]

I don't understand why young drivers (Almirola, for example) take these start and park rides at all. They are so much better off to find a competitive (or even semi-competitive) Nationwide or Truck ride where they can showcase their talent than just coming to the track every weekend to park it... that's my opinion, anyway...

[roosterrage]

Your opinion is correct, IMO. :) Those kind of rides are just career-killers for any young driver who wants a chance. I obviously want Reed back in Cup, but he's got the best non-Cup funded team in the NW with a real chance to win every race he is in. Had he gone to Finch's Cup team or Keyed Up Motorsports or some other team like that, he may not have even gotten a good NW ride after that. Think about Casey Mears- he may not be the best driver in the world, but he is a pretty solid driver. And now he is rideless.

[TeamBlueOval]

I think Casey Mears' biggest problem is that he was given THREE chances with competitive race teams (Ganassi, Hendrick, and RCR) and failed to perform at a high level on all 3 occasions. He's lucky to have gotten 3 shots at it, but it looks like he's taken strike 3 and now he's OUT....