Are Aric Almirola, Smithfield headed to Stewart-Haas Racing for 2018?

With reports coming in that Smithfield will not reunite with its longtime partner Richard Petty Motorsports for 2018, it appears a few related dominoes could fall before this Silly Season is over.

If Lee Spencer of Motorsport is correct — and she usually is — one of the more dependable sponsor/team partnerships of this decade is coming to a close. Spencer reported this weekend that Smithfield will not return to Richard Petty Motorsports, walking away from what was described as a handshake deal with The King.

One interesting part of the Motorsport article is that what might have soured Smithfield on re-signing is RPM’s desire to put Bubba Wallace in the No. 43 car next year. Wallace is currently without a full-time ride but filled in and acquitted himself well in several races this season while Aric Almirola was injured.

But what’s certain to stir up even more speculation is the suggestion that Smithfield will move its sponsorship to Stewart-Haas Racing. That begs the question: is Almirola on his way to SHR as well?

There could definitely be a seat open for him. Stewart-Haas already declined the 2018 option on Daytona 500 winner Kurt Busch, though he has expressed a willingness to return. Let’s assume for the moment that the team wants to keep him and his playoff-bound No. 41 crew together once they work out sponsorship.

The No. 10 car currently driven by Danica Patrick is another, perhaps even more likely landing spot for Almirola and Smithfield if they arrived as a package deal. Patrick’s future beyond this season is a very open question thanks to sponsorship concerns, with the driver’s own clothing line stepping into appear on her hood at Richmond.

Smithfield could also certainly move to SHR without Almirola as part of the deal, sponsoring another driver. That feels less likely but can’t be counted out entirely.

Next: Danica Patrick return to Stewart-Haas Racing 'increasingly unlikely'

So let’s do some connecting of the dots and see the most likely way this could all play out. Almirola to the 10 with Smithfield makes a lot of sense. Almirola is even already in the broader Ford camp, so the fit is logical.

Wallace to the 43 would be the logical replacement, though someone would have to step up and bring money to the table or RPM could be in trouble.

And Patrick? That leaves her as the odd driver out. It’s hard to believe that she could go from sponsor darling to out of work in just a few seasons, but such is life in the most “What have you done for me lately?” NASCAR era in recent memory.