Bubba Wallace to replace Aric Almirola in the 43?

If reports are correct, almost everything about the Richard Petty Motorsports Cup Series effort except for the involvement of The King might be different in 2018.

Fans of Bubba Wallace took heart in rumors that the currently ride-less driver might join Richard Petty Motorsports next season in a second car, likely the No. 44. The sticking point, as it almost always is, would be sponsorship, but the reports made sense because Wallace filled in driving the No. 43 this year when Aric Almirola was injured.

But could Wallace replace Almirola instead? That possibility was floated by Sports Business Daily (via Jayski) in a discussion about whether RPM would be able to retain the services of sponsor Smithfield Foods. Smithfield has been the primary brand on the 43 for years, but its contract is up at the end of the current NASCAR season and the company could switch teams or cut back on racing altogether.

There’s also been speculation that Almirola could leave the Petty camp and Smithfield might go with him. That would certainly open the door for Wallace to get a full time ride, but he would then need a sponsor, which is what doomed his XFINITY Series gig with Roush Fenway Racing in 2017. The King has made it known that he likes Bubba as a driver and a person, but the dollars need to make sense.

Next: Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race highlights

Wallace definitely has talent and natural charisma, and it would be fun to have him around for more than just a cup of coffee in the iconic No. 43. The Sports Business Daily source called Wallace taking over for Almirola “premature but did not rule it out” while also adding that RPM could switch from Ford to Chevrolet in 2018.

No matter what happens, then, expect things to be different in some big ways for the 43 team by the time Daytona rolls around. And don’t be shocked if it’s Bubba Wallace behind the wheel.