INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 23, 2010) – Aric Almirola’s streak of good finishes at O’Reilly Raceway Park (ORP) came to a disappointing end Friday night after starting the AAA Insurance 200 with much higher ambitions.  The No. 51 Zyclara Graceway Pharmaceuticals Toyota retired from the race early after contact with competitors put him into the wall of the Indianapolis short track.

Almirola came to ORP with a top-five and a top-10 finish in three starts at the .686-mile oval, and the No. 51 Tundra’s performance in practice and qualifying (starting eighth) had the team expecting another strong outing.  Unfortunately, Almirola reported handling problems with the truck shortly after taking the green flag, saying the truck was “tight everywhere” and did not feel the same way it felt earlier in the day.  Crew chief Richie Wauters began making big adjustments early, as the team worked to give Almirola a truck that could push back toward the front.

After multiple pit stops and running in the 18th position near the half-way point of the race, the team was about to make another big adjustment when Almirola got collected in a three-truck crash  that put the No. 51 Tundra into the wall and out of the race.

“It wasn't the same truck that we started with at the first practice, or the second practice,” Almirola said.  “I don't know. We were struggling, we were racing for 20th.  I don’t know what spot we were racing for, but it was bad. 

“We were a lap down just trying to work on our truck and get it competitive with 100 laps to go.  The 60 (Narain Karthikeyan) kept running into me every time.  This place is as wide as they come for short tracks.  Just pick a lane.”

Despite the disappointing finish, Almirola is still second in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) championship standings.  He will be back behind the wheel of the No. 51 Zyclara Graceway Pharmaceuticals Toyota next weekend when the CWTS heads to Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.  The Pocono Mountains 125 will air at 12:30 p.m. ET on SPEED.

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