NASCAR: 5 possible replacements for Kurt Busch in 2022
By Randy Smith
Possible 2022 Chip Ganassi Racing drivers: No. 2 – Aric Almirola
Chip Ganassi Racing signing Aric Almirola would be quite the reunion, so to speak. When Dale Earnhardt Incorporated merged with Chip Ganassi Racing to form Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, Almirola spent a couple races in the #8 Chevrolet. While Almirola didn’t spend much time with the team, he does have at least some prior connection to Ganassi.
Additionally, Almirola is in a contract year, having signed a one-year extension with Stewart-Haas Racing last year. However, the 2021 season hasn’t been the one he had wanted. Though he started the season with a victory in his Duel race at Daytona International Speedway, it has been rough to say the least.
He has racked up five DNFs, which is by far his worst start to a season through 15 races since he became a full-time driver in the Cup Series. Outside of 2014 champion Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing have all of their drivers well below the playoff cut line.
In a sport where sponsorship is key, Almirola has had an established partnership with Smithfield going back to his days with Richard Petty Motorsports, and something he could bring to Chip Ganassi Racing and to Ross Chastain as a teammate is winning experience.