Almirola Finishes 17th at Michigan
Smithfield Ford Driver Rallies for Season’s 14th Top-20
Date: Aug. 22, 2021
Event: FireKeepers Casino 400 (Round 25 of 36)
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn (2-mile oval)
Format: 200 laps, broken into three stages (60 laps/60 laps/80 laps)
Start/Finish: 23rd / 17th (Running, completed 200 of 200 laps)
Point Standing: 23rd (436 points, 568 out of first)
Race Winner: Ryan Blaney of Team Penske (Ford)
Stage 1 Winner: Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet)
Stage 2 Winner: Kyle Busch of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
Stage 1 Recap (Laps 1-60):
● Aric Almirola started 23rd and finished 20th.
● Almirola fell out of the draft on the initial restart but drove back to his starting position just a few laps later.
● The Smithfield driver radioed his No. 10 Ford was “loose everywhere” as the tires became hotter.
● Almirola pitted for four fresh tires, fuel and adjustments during the competition caution.
● He came off pit road in 23rd and did not pit