Aric Almirola to replace Danica Patrick at Stewart-Haas Racing in 2018

Aric Almirola will join Stewart-Haas Racing next season where he will replace Danica Patrick as driver of the No. 10 Ford.

Although long rumored, Almirola was officially named SHR’s newest driver during a news conference Wednesday at the team’s headquarters in Kannapolis, N.C. Exact details of Almirola’s contract with SHR were not disclosed.

Almirola comes over from Richard Petty Motorsports where he has driven full-time since 2012. The 33-year-old has one win in 242 Cup Series starts — at Daytona International Speedway in July 2014 — and a best finish of 16th in the year-end points standings.

Smithfield Foods, which had sponsored Almirola at RPM, will also switch teams and back the No. 10 car in a multi-year deal. Smithfield will continue a marketing relationship with RPM, but will not continue its sponsorship of the No. 43 car and new driver Darrell Wallace Jr.

SHR is co-owned by retired three-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and billionaire businessman Gene Haas. In addition to Almirola’s team, SHR also fields cars for Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, and Kevin Harvick. Busch won the season-opening Daytona 500 in February, while Harvick has won twice this season including Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway, which qualified him for the four-driver championship final in two weeks.

Patrick began driving for SHR part-time in 2012, then transitioned to full-time the following season. She recorded seven top-10 finishes in 180 Cup Series starts, with a best of sixth, and in 2013 became the first female driver to win a pole in NASCAR’s top division when she captured the top starting position in Daytona 500 qualifying.

Patrick announced in September she would leave SHR at the end of the current season, a decision largely predicated on the organization being unable to find adequate sponsorship for the No. 10 car. She has not solidified any plans for the 2018 season, and has said publicly she will step away from racing unless she can find an opportunity with a competitive team.

Busch is also a free agent, though discussions are ongoing with SHR about the 2004 series champion returning. Both Stewart and Haas have said they expect Busch to re-sign and continue driving the No. 41 car.

Bowyer and Harvick are each under contract and will return to SHR in 2018.