If given faster cars, Aric Almirola possesses the skill set to have a regular presence in or near the top 10. However, that is beyond Richard Petty Motorsports' current capability, with a limited amount of resources continuing to be a roadblock to ascending beyond the current prolonged state of being average. Regardless, Almirola popping off a win somewhere during the regular season is not unrealistic. And if that transpires, a second Chase berth in three years becomes attainable.
Fails to qualify for Chase