Sprint Cup - Almirola Takes Petty Ride For 2012

Richard Petty Motorsports has announced that Aric Almirola will drive its legendary No. 43 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012.

Aric Almirola drove full-time for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2011.

Almirola, 27, has made 35 Cup starts, most recently in 2010 when he drove the final five races for RPM in the No. 9 (replacing Kasey Kahne). He notched a career-best fourth in the Sprint Cup finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Almirola drove for JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series in 2011, finishing fourth in the standings for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s team (which hired Cole Whitt to replace Almirola in the No. 88 Chevrolet for 2012).