Motorsports

Tampa driver's rapid rise continues

Aric Almirola's steep ascent to NASCAR's highest level shows no sign of cresting.

By BRANT JAMES
Published March 10, 2007

Aric Almirola's steep ascent to NASCAR's highest level shows no sign of cresting.

The 22-year-old Tampa native and member of Joe Gibbs Racing's driver development program qualified for his first Nextel Cup race on his very first attempt on Friday, putting the No. 80 Chevrolet in the show on time with a best lap of 180.174 at the 1.5-mile oval.

Forced to wait more than two hours as the 52nd of 54 cars to make a qualifying run, Almirola qualified 31st for Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400.

"I'm at a loss for words," Almirola said.

Team president J.D. Gibbs, reached by cellphone, said the normally unflappable Almirola "was as nervous as I've ever heard him, even a while later on the phone."

Almirola is following a path markedly similar to that of Denny Hamlin, a Tampa-born JGR driver who went from unsigned four years ago to the Nextel Cup rookie of the year last season. Almirola ran 29 truck series races the past two seasons with five top-10s and a best of eighth at Loudon in 2005. He has started 10 Busch races in the same span, winning the pole and finishing 19th this year at Daytona.

Gibbs said he did not expect Almirola to have to beat so many cars when the attempt was planned in January. There were seven spots available on speed and 17 cars trying to earn them. Though this was technically a "research and development" car meant to find gains for JGR three Cup teams, Gibbs said Almirola's car had similar setups to Tony Stewart, Hamlin and J.J. Yeley.

"Hey, Aric is our R and D program," Gibbs said. "I'll invest in him as much as I would any parts and pieces."

Almirola is scheduled to attempt five Cup races this season but Gibbs said that could increase if sponsorship could be found and the effort does not detract from the other three teams.

"We've got room to run a fourth (Cup) car," he said. "We're not afraid to do that either."

Almirola's family did not make the trip to Las Vegas.

"We'll leave him alone on the first one," said his grandfather, Sam Rodriguez. "This one's about all business."

Kasey Kahne won the pole at 184.856 mph. David Reutimann of Zephyrhills failed to make the race, his first missed this season.

CHARGES DROPPED: Misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and obstructing an officer have been dropped against three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser, who was arrested during a fracas at a roadblock in August along with his brother, four-time Indy winner Al Unser Sr.

[Last modified March 9, 2007, 23:13:42]