NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
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CUP: RPM Sticking With Ford
Richard Petty Motorsports will field Fords once again next year...
Mike Hembree  |  Posted October 19, 2012   Kansas City, KS
Richard Petty Motorsports is in its third year with Ford. (Photo: Getty Images)
The King will continue to ride with the Blue Oval.

Richard Petty Motorsports and Ford Racing announced Friday that RPM will remain a Ford team for the 2013 season.

Petty, one of the team’s owners, had had discussions with other manufacturers with the landscape of the sport changing for the new season. Penske Racing is moving from Dodge to Ford next year, a switch that put Petty’s relationship with the manufacturer in question.

RPM began its relationship with Ford in 2010 (although Petty, through his career, has been involved with almost every NASCAR manufacturer).

"Our team relationship with Ford Racing has helped us win races and be competitive in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series," Petty said. "They have been our partner over the past three seasons, and we're proud to continue that relationship into next season, especially with the debut of the new Ford Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series. We expect to continue to win races and challenge for championships in both series with Ford Racing."

RPM will continue to field the No. 43 and No. 9 Fords in the Sprint Cup Series next season, although the drivers have not been determined. Marcos Ambrose and Aric Almirola currently drive for RPM. Garage-area rumors have Almirola leaving the team at the end of the season.

Michael Annett will continue to drive the RPM Mustang in the Nationwide Series.

Ambrose said Friday he and team officials have worked out details of a new contract and that he expects to return next season.

“I can’t see any reason why I wouldn’t want to be a part of Richard Petty Motorsports in 2013,” he said. “There are a lot of good things to look forward to. We have built a great team and have great partners with Ford and Roush with their engine program and also the engineering support.

“I want to be in NASCAR, I want to be around, and I want to drive for Richard Petty Motorsports.”

Ford Racing director Jamie Allison said RPM “has certainly gained momentum this year, and together we believe the continued Ford technical tools and engineering support will further enable RPM the opportunity to win more races and be a contender to get drivers into the Chase in 2013.

"Richard's presence means so much to this sport, to the fans and to us, and we are proud to have the King and RPM with Ford."

Mike Hembree is NASCAR Editor for SPEED.com and has been covering motorsports for 30 years. He is a six-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award.
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