Almirola -- not to be confused with AJ Allmendinger or Alan Alda -- was supposed to be driving the No. 8 full-time this year after splitting it the previous two years with Mark Martin. But Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s merger with Chip Ganassi Racing, combined with a softened sponsorship economy, put the brakes on the No. 8 car after just seven unremarkable races. His only finish higher than 30th was a 21st-place finish in Atlanta in the spring.

The lawsuit does not specify details on the breach-of-contract claim, but instead asks the court to send the matter to arbitration.

The case echoes one involving Elliott Sadler earlier this year, in which Sadler threatened to sue Gillett Evernham Motorsports over getting bounced from his ride by Allmendinger. But once GEM merged with Richard Petty Motorsports, there was space available after all, and that suit mysteriously went away. That doesn't seem likely in this case.

Aric Almirola files claim against Earnhardt Ganassi Racing [Scene Daily]