NASCAR: Five possible replacement candidates for Danica Patrick in 2018

Aric Almirola

Aric Almirola, 33, began his NASCAR Cup Series career began back in 2007. In 234 career races, Almirola has racked up one win at Daytona in 2014, 10 top 5 finishes and 29 top 10 finishes. So far this season, he has finished as high as 4th place twice at the Daytona 500 and at Talladega.

Also, Almirola still sits in 30th place in the championship standings despite the fact that he missed seven races with a back injury he suffered in a crash at Kansas, which actually involved Danica Patrick. His one other top 10 finish this season was a 9th place finish at Richmond.

Those statistics may not exactly warrant him getting a ride with a top-tier team such as Stewart-Haas Racing when there are plenty of other viable candidates to take the seat of Danica Patrick’s #10 Ford. However, Almirola has never had the chance to drive for a great team, so of course he doesn’t have Jimmie Johnson-like career numbers.

While Almirola has never had the opportunity to drive full-time for a top-tier team like Stewart-Haas Racing, now is as perfect a time as any for him to get that chance with Smithfield, the current primary sponsor on his #43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford, leaving Richard Petty Motorsports for Stewart-Haas Racing next season.

With Almirola leaving Richard Petty Motorsports after this season as well, he is definitely a viable candidate to replace Patrick in the #10 Ford.