NSCS: Almirola to run fan-chosen paint scheme at Phoenix in support of Folds of Honor Foundation

Richard Petty Motorsports announced today that as a result of a partnership between their sponsor Farmland Foods and the Folds of Honor Foundation, Aric Almirola’s No. 43 Ford will feature a paint scheme that was chosen by the fans. The fans got to choose the paint scheme via vote on Farmland Food’s facebook page.

The Folds of Honor Foundation “provides support to families of fallen or disabled armed forces members, throughout the 2014 NASCAR season to support our county’s armed forces”. With the announcement of the partnership, Farmland Foods is now donating $100,000 to Folds of Honor, which will provide scholarships to families of fallen or disabled armed forces members.

“We got to see all the options earlier this year in Charlotte, and I think the fans picked well,” Almirola said of the chosen paint scheme. “Our car is going to look great on track, and more importantly, families of fallen or disabled armed forces members will benefit from a donation from Farmland. It’s just so cool to be a part of programs like this and give back to people who really need it. It will be very special to race this car this weekend.”

After racing in the top-15 throughout the majority of the spring race at Phoenix International Raceway, Almirola is hoping to score his fifth top-16 finish at Phoenix, possibly bettering his best finish of 12th. In nine Nationwide and Truck starts at Phoenix, Almirola has one pole, two top-Fives and four top-10 finishes in nine starts.

“Phoenix is very track position driven,” Almirola commented. “You have to protect the inside of Turn Three more than anything which makes it frustrating to race there. The characteristics of the track are very much like a short track. Turns One and Two have a short sharp corner and then three and four is more of a sweeping turn like Loudon, so it races like a short track despite being a one mile track.”