At the Sharpie 500 race at Bristol Motor Speedway at this time last year Dale Earnhardt Inc. debuted Aric Almirola. Piloting the No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet, Almirola trailed a majority of his competitors across the finish line recording a 36th place finish.

The following year Almirola traveled to Bristol during the spring events and laid down a solid eighth place finish to silence any of those that doubted his capabilities.

“We went back with the No. 8 guys in the spring and had a great run,” said Almirola. “The car was really good there in the spring and obviously the track time helps. It was a great confidence builder to go there and run up front and prove that I could race with these guys in this series.”

Almirola returned to Bristol last weekend, one year after his debut, and yet again turned heads with a 13th place finish.

“I guess it says a lot about how much ground we have gained in a short time and in just a few races,” said Almirola. “We have a great group of guys to work with on this team and (crew chief) Tony Gibson and all the guys on this team have put me in great car every time I’ve driven."

“We had a really good car last week at Bristol,” Almirola continued. “A lot better than our finished showed. We had moved up inside the top 10 and had a shot for a really good finish. I guess if you had of told me last year we’d be disappointed with a 13th-place finish, I would have thought that was pretty good.”

Some may say that 13 is an unlucky number, but to Almirola and the No. 8 team it’s a sign of things to come.

Next year Almirola will take full control of the No. 8 DEI Chevrolet and make his debut as a full-time driver for the organization.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Almirola shared. “I’ve really enjoyed working with Mark the past two seasons. He has been a great teacher and mentor, but I feel like I’m ready to go out and compete each week. I’m really excited about the opportunity to do that next season. I still have five more races this year and at some tracks where we have a chance to be really strong, so I’m just going to try and learn all I can before I get in the car full-time next year.”

Now Almirola will head to Auto Club Speedway to perform in the Pepsi 500 with hopes of continuing his momentum and improving on his 31st place outing last year at the venue.