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Tampa's Aric Almirola eager to win again at Daytona

 
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Aric Almirola speaks to the media during the 2015 NASCAR Media Day Thursday at Daytona International Speedway. [Getty Images]
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Aric Almirola speaks to the media during the 2015 NASCAR Media Day Thursday at Daytona International Speedway. [Getty Images]
Published Feb. 12, 2015

DAYTONA BEACH — Tampa native Aric Almirola didn't feel any different when he arrived at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday.

"It feels the same as it has every other year," Almirola said during the Daytona 500 media day.

But his career is in a different place than it was a year ago. The Hillsborough High alumnus enters as the last driver to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the historic track, after earning his first series victory in July at the rain-shortened Coke Zero 400.

With that victory came his first appearance in the Chase and some validation in the garage.

"I feel like I've got a lot more respect, and we've put ourselves in a position to be a team that's recognized," Almirola said. "People expect us to run up front. We competed well in the Chase and performed at a pretty good level. I think when people think about Richard Petty Motorsports and the 43 team now, I think they think about us as contenders."

Almirola has a chance to compete in the Feb. 22 Daytona 500. He has three Top 20 finishes at the track, and he will be driving the same No. 43 Ford that went to victory lane last year.

Though the win has certainly changed his career, Almirola said it hasn't had a big impact on his life.

"I'm still the same guy," said Almirola, a father of two. "I still go home and change dirty diapers, and my wife still tells me what to do — just like before I won."