Aric A. Almirola was born in Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida in1984. His father is Cuban. He is a professional stock car racing driver.

He began racing go-karts when he was eight years old. At 14, he began racing nationally.
He currently competes full-time in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 10 Ford Fusion for Stewart-Haas Racing, and part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 98 Ford Mustang for SHR in an alliance with Biagi-DenBeste Racing.

Almirola attended the University of Central Florida to work on a degree in mechanical engineering before leaving to pursue a career in racing. He is nicknamed “The Cuban Missile” due to his Cuban heritage.