Drew Blickensderfer headed to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2022: Will work with Aric Almirola

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    It was revealed Tuesday morning (1/04/2022), that Stewart-Haas Racing has picked up Drew Blickensderfer to sit atop the pit box for their NASCAR Cup Series No. 10 team in 2022. Aric Almirola will be once again paired with crew chief Drew Blickensderfer, as they previously worked together at Richard Petty Motorsports in 2016 and 2017.

Blickensderfer, the reigning Daytona 500 winning crew chief, will replace Mike Bugarwicz in the crew chief role for Almirola. Bugarwicz, who led the No. 10 team to a sweet victory lane at New Hampshire during the 2021 season, was promoted to Performance Director for Stewart-Haas Racing and will still remain a valuable part to the team.

Prior to this announcement, Aric Almirola's 2022 plans were up in the air, but it appears to be that he has renewed his contract with Stewart-Haas Racing. Smithfield is expected to return to sponsor Almirola for some extent, although how much funding they will provide is unknown as their contract with the team expired after 2021.

Welcome to the family as the No. 10 Team Crew Chief, Drew Blickensderfer.

Mike Bugarewicz has been promoted to Performance Director and will continue to be a valuable part of the SHR team. pic.twitter.com/bAxi6YRofc

— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) January 4, 2022

Front Row Motorsports has talked to crew chief candidates for McDowell and hope to have one in the next couple of weeks.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 4, 2022