Aric Almirola is ‘nervous and anxious’ about NASCAR’s Chicago debut

The Cup and Xfinity grid can’t afford to make mistakes with the limited run-off area at the track.

Aric Almirola is ‘nervous and anxious’ about NASCAR’s Chicago debut

Aric Almirola (Credits: @Aric_Almirola/Twitter)

Stewart Haas Racing’s No:10 Ford Mustang driver Aric Almirola has admitted that he is anxious and nervous going into the Chicago Street Course race this Sunday. It will be one of the most significant challenges ever in the sport’s history as it’s the event debut in NASCAR’s top division.

None of the drivers other than veteran AJ Allmendinger and part-time entries Jenson Button and Shane van Gisbergen has significant experience in such races. But even their expertise gives them a little advantage at the 12-turned downtown track, which no driver has ever raced before in a 3600 pounds stock car.

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Almirola, while talking about the race that’s going to be his street course debut, pointed out that he is excited about the whole experience. He added that the same unknowns make him anxious and nervous. The SHR driver also shared his optimism that it’s going to be a fantastic experience for the fans as an event and as a race.

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“I’m excited, nervous, anxious, all of the above. I’m excited to do something we have never done, but there is always anxiousness about the unknown and not knowing what to expect. It’s going to be such a fantastic event for the fans,” Aric Almirola said.

“There is so much to do around the course, and it’s going to be a lot of fun for them not only during the race but before and after. As a driver, I’m looking forward to saying that I got to race on the streets of Chicago,” Aric Almirola added.

In case you missed it: Supercars legend Shane van Gisbergen confesses his desire to experience oval racing as he gets ready for Cup debut with Trackhouse

Aric Almirola calls for aggressive racing at Chicago

Aric Almirola
Aric Almirola (Credits: Sportscasting)

While talking about his approach to the race, the veteran driver pointed out that he needed to be aggressive during the whole race. It’s expected to be a strategy-centric race, and for the drivers to maximize their results, being aggressive in the corners is really important. Doing it in the repaved track is also a challenge.

“I think Chicago is certainly a racetrack where you’re going to have to be very aggressive. The surface is going to be very interesting where they’ve repaved or where they’ve not repaved. What we’ve learned so far in the simulator is that we think it’s pretty low grip, and it’s pretty rough with a lot of tight, blind corners,” Almirola said.

He also cautioned that while aggression is the way forward in the race, it should be perfect as a tiny error; the car will be on the wall and the pilot in the infield care center. So, drivers must find the ideal balance between aggression and cautious driving to reach the front.

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