Aric Almirola will miss time in car at MIS due to illness

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BROOKLYN, Mich. – Sprint Cup driver Aric Almirola is fighting a virus and will miss much of Friday’s activity at Michigan International Speedway, host to Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400.

Camping World Truck Series driver Matt Crafton, scheduled to race in Saturday’s truck event at MIS, will drive Almirola’s Ford in practice Friday, although Almirola is scheduled to run a few laps and to drive the car in afternoon qualifying.

Almirola, still on the outside looking in for a Chase for the Sprint Cup spot, probably needs a win in one of the final four races in the regular season to make the Chase.

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