![\"Cuban](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net\/v1\/static\/694940094001\/2077cdfd-23c0-4530-b17d-efa025cb6bd8\/088203ec-7465-4a5d-8289-e4cc512c9c7a\/1280x720\/match\/931\/524\/image.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
Video <\/p>\n close Video <\/p>\n
Stewart-Haas Racing driver Aric Almirola will honor hero Navy SEAL Michael Monsoor during the Coca-Cola 600 with the fallen veteran’s name on his car. Monsoor was awarded the Medal of Honor for throwing himself onto a grenade to save other members of his SEAL team in Iraq.<\/p>\n
Aric Almirola is hanging up his helmet.<\/p>\n
![\"Aric](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/640\/320\/aric-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/p>\n
\n Aric Almirola has announced plans to retire from NASCAR at the end of the 2022 season.
\n (Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
The 38-year-old has announced that 2022 will be his last year as a NASCAR Cup Series driver.<\/p>\n
He said in a video message posted to YouTube that he wants to spend more time with his wife Janice and their two young children, Alex, 10, and Abby, 9.<\/p>\n
![\"Aric](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/640\/320\/aric-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/p>\n
\n Aric and Janice Almirola attended the NASCAR awards banquet in Nashville in December.
\n (Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
“I have a short window to spend with them while they still think dad\u2019s cool,” Almirola said.<\/p>\n
“Before you know it they\u2019re gonna have car keys, and they\u2019re gonna be running off with their friends and I\u2019m gonna miss it, and, so, I don\u2019t want to miss it.”<\/p>\n
![\"Almirola's](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/640\/320\/aric-4.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/p>\n
\n Almirola’s most recent win came at the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 18.
\n (Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Almirola said the though and prayed hard over the decision and that “the questions are the same as anybody else would have when you\u2019re going to stop doing something. Can I afford it? And the answer I came up with was \u2018can I afford not to?\u2019”<\/p>\n
“When I look at everything holistically, I don\u2019t have any regrets. It all played out exactly how God intended.”<\/p>\n
![\"Almirola](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/640\/320\/aric-3.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/p>\n
\n Almirola will drive the all-new NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas racing for the full 2022 season.
\n (Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
The Stewart-Haas Racing driver, who started racing in go-karts at age eight, said he’s looking forward to racing the all-new Next Gen Cup Series car this year, but feels it’s finally time that family’s life didn’t revolve around his schedule.<\/p>\n
PROUD AMERICAN: CUBAN-AMERICAN NASCAR DRIVER ARIC ALMIROLA REMINDS FANS THAT “OUR FREEDOM ISN’T FREE”<\/p>\n
Almirola is entering his 11th full-time season in the Cup Series, where he has won three races, finished a career high fifth in the driver’s standings in 2018 and feels he has accomplished all he needs to. <\/p>\n
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP<\/p>\n
“Results and trophies and all of those things at this point is not going to change my life,” he said. “What is going to change my life, you know, is a quality relationship with my wife and my kids.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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