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Richard Petty Motorsports makes significant sponsorship gains for 2016

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At the end of the season at Homestead, Brian Scott wasn't sure if he was going to have a Sprint Cup ride for 2016. Now with famed Richard Petty Motorsports, Scott explains how everything came together so quickly.

Richard Petty Motorsports made two significant sponsorship announcements Wednesday during NASCAR Media Tour in Charlotte.

The team announced that Smithfield Foods will sponsor Aric Almirola for 31 of this season’s 36 points-paying races. Smithfield, which has been with Almirola since 2013, sponsored the team in 29 races last year. Also, Albertsons Companies and Shore Lodge will serve as co-primary sponsors for Brian Scott in 16 races. Both companies will serve as an associate sponsor for the remaining races.

Almirola’s No. 43 is fully funded for the 2016 campaign. Sponsorship for the other five points-paying races will be from the U.S. Air Force, STP and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ “Fresh From Florida” campaign.

Scott’s No. 44 is seeking a primary sponsor for 12 races. Twisted Tea will serve as a primary sponsor for three races, as well as associate sponsor for other races. Other primary sponsors on Scott’s car will include GoBowling.com (number to be determined) and Goody’s (two races).

RPM said it had renewed all existing partnerships from last season, while adding new partnerships for this season.

“It makes me proud that companies continue to see a return on their investment with us and are growing right alongside of us,” RPM CEO Brian Moffitt said in a statement. “We are definitely making big strides to see that winning tradition of the Petty family return today, and I think that can happen this season.”

Also, the team announced that unless additional sponsorship is forthcoming, it likely will not field a team in the Xfinity Series this season. Dakoda Armstrong drove for the team last year.

Follow @JerryBonkowski