Aric Almirola: Zero Or Hero Time

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Ain’t it funny how things can come back to bite you?

After being “done dirty” by Joe Gibbs, an issue not to be rehashed, Aric Almirola now has come to what should be called a “defining moment” in his career.

It was rumored, rumored again, and then it hit the fan. Mark Martin has a new pupil, and his name is Aric Almirola.

What? Huh? What about Regan Smith?

Well, that’s a whole ‘nother ball of wax folks.

Sterling Marlin has been released, and Regan Smith will be jumping into the Ginn Racing #14 starting with Indy. Our ol’ buddy Sterlin’, while looking to cut back in 2008, wasn’t exactly pleased. I guess Ginn is still paying him through the end of his contract, but he’s on to other things. Maybe even a second ride with them McClure boys.

On the same, but similar front at Ginn, it appears Bobby’s pockets aren’t the big brother of the Grand Canyon. Either that, or the length of his arms have been reduced. The #13, and Joe Nemechek have been suspended from continual operation due to lack of sponsorship and will not be headed to Indy.

That’s a car in the Top 35 folks, that’s walking away.

I wonder how long it will be before Michael Waltrip buys those owner points up? Granted, he isn’t but barely in the Top 35, but he is in. Enough to where Michael would be in the show at least two or three times before falling back out.

But, I digress. Although it appears DEI is interested in those points for Menard, as well as combining teams with DEI to make a 4 car team. Which, it seems, would kick the 15 out, and bring in the #01 and the #14, but who knows. I’m rambling again…

So here we have Aric Almirola rolling out of Joe Gibbs Racing, and rolling into the students lounge at Ginn. School’s in session, and this move will either make or break him. However, under the guidance of Mark Martin, he’s in good hands.

Aric’s first race will be August 12th, as he’s thrown into the road course at Watkins Glen. He’ll also run the Cup races that Regan Smith was scheduled for, but there’s a kicker too.

Joe Gibbs Racing, while granting the release of Aric Almirola, is keeping him to his Busch Series commitments (5 more) for 2007. Gee, I wonder how that’s going to go over? Anyone got a punch bowl?

Aside:

I’d like to thank the couple of mutineers that have graciously accepted an invitation to be authors on the Lounge. As they have time, of course.

Unfortunately, my time has become such that it honestly is tough to find 15 minutes a day to share my insight with all of you, as you may have noticed. So, in order to keep bringing y’all the goods, these familiar faces will be making an appearance here and there to help keep you all in content for your reading pleasure. Again, thanks to both Marc, and Clance’ for their insight, time, personalities, and of course their assistance.

Then again, you could always start your own NASCAR blog for free, and let the world know what you think about this great sport of ours.

4 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Aric Almirola, Drivers, Ginn Racing #01, Ginn Racing #13, Ginn Racing #14, Indianapolis, Joe Nemechek, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Regan Smith, Sterling Marlin, Teams, Tracks





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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday June 12, 2007
8:47pm UTC
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Anybody care to draw a quick conclusion from the title?

OK, times up. If you caught coverage on Sirius, you’re a step ahead of the game. Going back to something I wrote about last summer, unfortunately Germain Racing is still being duped.

You know, I thought that maybe, just maybe it would go away. And perhaps that just maybe a Truck Championship would right the ship. Unfortunately for the Nextel Cup garage, and watch out in the Busch garage too, this isn’t the case. It isn’t as strong of a plan as it was made out to be last summer, but it’s still somewhat going through.

Bearing an uncanny resemblance to Mr. Clean, minus being so “buff” and instead being “fluff”, Todd Bodine is planning on taking Germain Racing into some Busch events, and a few Cup events as well this season. Their first planned Cup attempt with be at the sacred Brickyard.

It’s a rare occasion where I truly dislike a driver, and would prefer them to be watching from the couch. Poking fun at Stewie aside, and it is fun, I still want him on the track. In this case, I would prefer Bodine were nowhere near the track.

It’s also a very, very, very rare occasion that I’m thankful for the Top 35 rule. Come Indy, I’ll be singing its praises full bore. With it in place, it makes it unlikely that Todd will contribute to that damn yellow hanky coming out. And you know full well if he makes the event he’s going to dump someone. At a place like Indy, where the turns are short and sharp and the speeds are high, it is a disaster in the making.

At least there are SAFER barriers now, but that won’t fix all the torn up cars that will result from this asshat making the field.

Need proof? Really? Sure, just look at his past history. It speaks for itself.

Heck, just look back at last Friday night at Texas. Amidst the real party that is the Thunder Lounge, some asshat that looks like Mr Clean took out the leader to go on to Victory Lane. No payback, not in retaliation. Simple because he ran out of talent. Yet another tribute to why nobody will give him a ride in a Cup car.

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Filed Under: Damn Good Points, Indianapolis, Nascar, Nextel Cup, The Soapbox, Tracks





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