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Tampa’s Aric Almirola is already close to passing Danica Patrick

The Hillsborough High alumnus just posted his seventh top-10 finish in 16 races at Stewart-Haas Racing. Patrick needed five full seasons to reach that number.
 
Published June 25, 2018

When Tampa's Aric Almirola took over Danica Patrick's ride at Stewart-Haas Racing, he knew one of two things would happen.

"I'm either going to go out and be successful," Almirola said before the start of the NASCAR season, "or I'm not."

So far, he has had more of the former than the latter.

The Hillsborough High alumnus reached a milestone of sorts Sunday with his eighth-place finish at Sonoma.

Sunday was Almirola's seventh top-10 finish in 16 races with his new team. Patrick had only seven top-10 finishes during her entire five-year run with SHR.

Almirola's average finish (11.8) is the highest of his career — no surprise, since he is finally on one of the Cup series' top teams. He also ranks 10th in points, making him a legitimate playoff contender.