Trouble in The King's Court: Smithfield Moves to SHR, Amrirola to Drive?

Smithfield Foods is leaving the No. 43 for Stewart-Haas Racing (Google Images)

After what has already been a trying season for Richard Petty Motorsports, rumors have now begun to circulate following a report from Motorsport.com that Smithfield Foods would be looking to move its sponsorship away from the No. 43 car in 2018.

That rumor became official on September 12, when Smithfield announced it would shift its sponsorship to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2018.

“We are excited to announce today that Smithfield Foods will join Stewart-Haas Racing as a primary team sponsor beginning in 2018,” the company posted on their Facebook page. “The decision to leave Richard Petty Motorsports and join Stewart-Haas Racing was difficult but we feel this move will improve our competitiveness on the track and strengthen our position as a leading consumer packaged goods company.

“Further details of our agreement with Stewart-Haas Racing will be provided at a later date.”

The meat processing company has been a major sponsor on RPM's famous No. 43 since entering the sport in 2012.

“We’re very proud to have Smithfield Foods join the Stewart-Haas Racing family,” said Brett Frood, president, SHR. “Smithfield has activated heavily and successfully within the sport, and we’re honored to be a part of the brand’s forward initiatives and strategy. Although we’re not ready to announce the full details of the program, we look forward to this new endeavor while remaining focused on the upcoming playoffs and putting forth the best effort possible to win more races and contend for another championship.”

Will Aric ALmirola wind up at Stewart-Haas Racing
with Smithfield in 2018? (Google Images)

Motorsport.com had reported before the regular-season finale at Richmond that Smithfield had a handshake deal with Petty and team officials to return to RPM in 2018. However, the article reported that the team was looking to sign Darrell "Bubba" Wallace as a replacement for Aric Almiola, the current wheelman of the No. 43 Ford.

Smithfield has done a great job of using both Almirola and Petty in their radio, television, and in-store campaigns, and has built a pretty solid brand around the 2014 Daytona winner. But when Almirola suffered a back injury as a result of a vicious wreck in Kansas this season, Wallace stepped in to fill the seat while Amirola recuperated. His best finish was an 11th-place in his final race at Kansas, leading many to speculate he could land in a second car at RPM if a sponsor could be found.

When funding didn't materialize, Motorsport.com reported that the team began to push for Wallace to replace Almirola in their Smithfield-branded Fusion next season. This caused Smithfield to balk and talks began to deteriorate.

All that remains is to find out which car Smithfield will land on and who will drive it. Current SHR drivers Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, and Danica Patrick both need sponsorship for next season. But the team could also go after Kasey Kahne or Matt Kenseth (who has reportedly met with team co-owner Gene Haas).

But the most likely scenario is that the team pursues Almirola. Smithfield clearly feels that they have a lot invested in the driver if they were unwilling to put Wallace in their car at RPM. Unless they felt it would bring an uptick in performance, why would they move to another team only to start over with a new driver?

Look for Aric Almirola to follow Smithfield to SHR, continuing to be "fueled by bacon" in 2018.

UPDATE: Richard Petty Motorsports has announced that Aric Almitrola will not return to the No. 43 car in 2018.

Danica Patrick has just announced on her Facebook page that she will not be returning to the No. 10 Ford at Stewart-Haas Racing in 2018:

“It has been my honor to drive for Tony Stewart, Gene Haas and everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing for the past six seasons. Together we earned a Daytona 500 pole, seven top-10 finishes and we also had some exciting racing along the way. My time driving for them, however, has come to an end due to a new sponsorship arrangement in 2018. Sponsorship plays a vital role in our sport, and I have been very fortunate over the course of my career, but this year threw us for a curve. Our amazing partners, such as Aspen Dental and Code 3, stepped up in a big way on short notice this year and I am incredibly grateful.

“I wish SHR the best of luck with their new sponsorship and driver. Thanks for the memories. Right now, my focus is on the remainder of the 2017 season and finishing the year strong. I have the utmost faith in myself and those around me, and feel confident about my future.”