Richard Petty Motorsports re-ups with Ford
KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Richard Petty Motorsports announced Friday that it will stay with Ford for the 2013 season.
"Our team relationship with Ford Racing has helped us win races and be competitive in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series," RPM co-owner Richard Petty said in a release. "They have been our partner over the past three seasons and we're proud to continue that relationship into next season, especially with the debut of the new Ford Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series. We expect to continue to win races and challenge for championships in both series with Ford Racing."
RPM will stay a two car team in the Cup Series, but the drivers of the cars were not identified. Both Marcos Ambrose and Aric Almirola, the team's current drivers, have contracts that expire at the end of the season. Ambrose, who won at Watkins Glen earlier this year, said he is close to an extension with the team. Stanley and DeWalt will continue to sponsor the No. 9 car next year, and Smithfield Foods will continue its relationship with the No. 43.
"We are all squared away as far as what the expectations are on both sides and it is just a matter of finishing off at this point. I can't see any reason why I wouldn't want to be a part of Richard Petty Motorsports in 2013," Ambrose said.
Ambrose has 8 top 10s and two poles this season and is 18th in the points standings. Almirola has two top 10s and a pole at the Coca-Cola 600 and is 21st in the points.
