Looks for Solid Finish in Vegas to Continue Points Progress
CONCORD, N.C. (March 5, 2013) – Aric Almirola is eager to head to the first intermediate track of the year, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. After posting the fastest time in January testing at the similar Charlotte Motor Speedway, the team has confidence it can be fast this weekend. The No. 43 Farmland Ford team finished the 2012 season with solid finishes at intermediate tracks and showed at the Charlotte test that their intermediate program is still strong with the new car. Almirola will make his fifth start at the Nevada track this weekend.
Once again, Almirola will join Farmland in donating food and money to a local food bank. The duo will present the donation to the Three Square Food Bank Thursday, March 7 at 5:15 p.m. during a fan fest at Smith’s Grocery located at 2255 E. Centennial Pkwy North Las Vegas, Nev.
Comments from Farmland Ford Fusion Driver Aric Almirola:
“We were really fast in the last test at Charlotte, so I’m excited to see how we unload this weekend in Vegas. Toward the end of last season, we were really good at the mile-and-a-half tracks, and doing well at the test gives us some momentum going into this weekend. Last weekend, we accomplished our goal of getting off that bubble spot and into the top-10 in points. We have a lot of optimism that we can gain some spots this weekend again too.
“I feel that we can really use our notes from the test this Thursday and also what we learned at Charlotte to help us post a good finish. Even though it is early in the year, it is extremely important for our team to be in the top-10 in points. Now, all we need to do is stay consistent. We want to post top-10 and top-five finishes weekly. Our Richard Petty Motorsports team is capable of doing that and now we just need to go out and do it.
“I am excited for another weekend with Farmland on the car. We will partner again this weekend to donate food and money to people in need. This is one of the most special things I get to be a part of. I can’t imagine going to bed hungry and really can’t even think about my kid going to bed hungry. I’m just honored to be connected to a company that understands that and does what they can to help end hunger.”
Comments from Crew Chief Todd Parrott on Vegas:
“I think our intermediate program is really strong. We proved that in the Charlotte test by posting the top time. So far, we have been consistent and will work hard to stay that way. We have to win races to compete for the championship, but getting solid finishes is just as important right now.
“Thursday’s test will be important for us. Everyone is still trying to figure out the characteristics of this new car, and we’ll be getting a lot of track time. We’ll be working pretty hard for Sunday.”
Chassis History:
The No. 43 team has prepared chassis No. 742 for Vegas. The team raced this is chassis in Homestead last year.
About Richard Petty Motorsports
A performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneurs Andrew Murstein and Douglas Bergeron, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. With a history of over 200 wins and business partnerships with national and global leaders, today the race operation fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Aric Almirola pilots the famous No. 43 Ford Fusion with primary partners Smithfield Foods, U.S. Air Force and STP and Marcos Ambrose drives the No. 9 machine with primary partners Stanley and DEWALT. In addition, Michael Annett wheels the No. 43 Pilot Flying J Ford Mustang full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The team is headquartered in Concord, N.C.
NEXT RACE:
Las Vegas 500
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Sunday, March 10, 3 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Radio: MRN/SiriusXM 90
Qualifying:
Friday, March 8, 6:40 p.m. ET
TV: SPEED
QUICK LINKS
RichardPettyMotorsports.com
