Richard Petty Motorsports
confirmed today that Marcos Ambrose and Aric Almirola have re-signed for the
2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Ambrose will enter his third season with the
organization, driving the No. 9 Ford with partners Stanley and DEWALT. Almirola
will begin his second season as the driver of the No. 43 Ford with primary
support from partner Smithfield Foods and its family of brands, Smithfield,
Eckrich, Farmland and Gwaltney. In addition, long-time Petty sponsor STP will
also continue as a primary partner of the No. 43.
Ambrose returns to the
Petty organization where he has his two Sprint Cup victories. The Australian
native has won consecutively at Watkins Glen for RPM. This season, Ambrose also
earned his first two Sprint Cup Series poles at Michigan and then Sonoma. In
addition to this year's win and two poles, Ambrose has collected eight top-10
and three top-five finishes. He was also in position to earn a berth in the
Sprint Cup "Chase" for the second consecutive season.
 |
| Marcos Ambrose returns in 2013 |
"It's good to come
back to Richard Petty Motorsports and focus on our future together," said
Ambrose. "We had success this year and recently have made plans to get
better for 2013 and beyond. It was great to win at Watkins Glen, earn my first
two poles and also have the opportunity to make the 'Chase' this year. I think
the Petty organization, and this No. 9 team under the leadership of 'The King,'
Sammy (Johns) and Drew (crew chief Blickensderfer), is going to be even
stronger next season. I can't think of a better place to be and am ready to
win."
Almirola is completing
his first full season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He also found success
with RPM behind the wheel of the famous No. 43 Ford. Almirola won his first
career Sprint Cup Series pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. He also
collected three top-10 and one top-five finish so far this season. Recently,
Almirola has been under the crew chief leadership of RPM veteran Todd Parrott.
The combination has helped Almirola lead the most laps in his young Sprint Cup
career. The team also recently finished fourth at Martinsville in October.
 |
| Almirola remains in the No. 43 |
"We went through
some changes this season, but since being paired with Todd (Parrott) and this
crew, I've had the most fun I've had in a Cup car," said Almirola. "I
think we have a lot of things 'clicking' right now and have a lot of momentum
heading into 2013. Everyone at RPM seems to have good chemistry right now and
that's a good feeling as we all prepare for 2013."
RPM previously announced
its continuing relationship with Ford Racing and the addition of crew chief
Drew Blickensderfer. Also confirmed earlier this season, RPM will continue to
field the No. 43 Pilot/Flying J Ford in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with
driver Michael Annett. Annett is currently fifth in the Nationwide Series
championship.
With all the pieces in
place for 2013, director of competition Sammy Johns has high expectations in
2013 for all teams.
"We have shuffled
our Cup team line-ups a few times this season to maximize our results,"
commented Johns. "We feel that the chemistry that we are developing now
with both teams is very strong. We have seen marked improvement over the past
few weeks. It's important that we continue to better our communication and
continuity with Marcos, Aric and their teams into 2013. We feel confident that
both teams are capable of competing for wins and making the 'Chase' next
season."
No comments:
Post a Comment