Heading to his home state, Almirola ends season at best track

CONCORD, N.C. (November 12, 2013) - Aric Almirola heads to one of his best tracks this weekend for the Sprint Cup Series season finale. He hopes to drive the No. 43 Smithfield Ford to Victory Lane in the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway and end the season on a high note in his home state.

Almirola has three starts at the mile-and-a-half track in the Sprint Cup Series. He scored his best finish when filling in for Kasey Kahne at Richard Petty Motorsports in 2010 when he crossed the finishline in fourth. Last season, he started fifth but ran out of gas on the last lap and finished seventh. He also has six total starts in the Nationwide and truck series where he scored one top-five and two top-10s.

Almirola will have a special guest cheering him on this weekend. Latino chef and media personality Chef Pepin will cook for the No. 43 Smithfield Ford team and hopefully fuel them to victory on Sunday.

Comments from Smithfield Ford Fusion Driver Aric Almirola:

"For me, Homestead is not that difficult to go there just once a year. I love going to Homestead. I always run really well there. I have a couple starts there in a 'Cup car and finished in the top-10 for both. I finished fourth in the 9 car when I ran a few races for RPM in 2010. And then last year, we were going to run second or third, but we ran out of gas on the last lap and finished seventh.

"I have always run really well at Homestead and been really competitive. For whatever reason, I know what I need there to be competitive. I'm looking forward to going there for the Ford EcoBoost 400. It's the one race that we go to that as soon as you get off the airplane the air is warm and it's just relaxing. It's almost like you are on vacation and get to race at the same time.

"We've had some ups and downs this season, but all in all, I think we had a good season. Our four consecutive top-10s were definitely the highlight. We still have some work to do on the Gen-6 car, but I'm proud of what we have accomplished this season. Hopefully, we can end it with a bang in Victory Lane."

Comments from Smithfield Ford Fusion Crew Chief Greg Ebert:

"Homestead is a difficult track since we only run there once a year. Despite that, Aric runs really well here and so does our team. Last year, our team was fast and poised for a good finish when we ran out of gas on the final lap. Still, we finished seventh. With it being the end of the season, everyone is excited to go to Miami, but I am extra excited because I think we will do well."

Richard Petty Motorsports