Almirola to make DEI debut

Almirola, who had been signed by Ginn Racing to share driving duties with Mark Martin before the team was absorbed by DEI, will make only his second Nextel Cup start, having made his debut at Las Vegas earlier this year.

Two weeks ago Regan Smith filled in for Martin at Watkins Glen, but Almirola is expected to take over tha role for the rest of the season and is also being considered by DEI as one of the drivers for the No. 8 car next year.

"In less than a week, I went from Joe Gibbs Racing to Ginn Racing to DEI," said Almirola. "Everything is great and I'm excited to get strapped into the Army Chevy and do battle at Bristol. It's an awesome track and it's important for me to show our soldiers and DEI that I am capable of doing a good job for them."

The now DEI driver will have a baptism of fire in his new team at the half-mile, high-banked track, where he has previously raced only a couple of times in the Busch Series.

"I might be a Cup rookie, but I know all about the pitfalls of the Bristol track," added Almirola. "It's a demanding track, but luck is also a big factor there. I don't plan on finishing with a clean car, but I do plan on finishing all the laps. My goal is to be competitive and run strong."

Almirola is also scheduled to compete in Friday night's Busch race at Bristol for Joe Gibbs Racing in the No 20 car which he co-drove with Denny Hamlin to a bizarre first Busch Series career victory at Milwaukee in June.