The thick, velvet curtain rose to display a familiar blue No. 43 car, and what Richard Petty Motorsports hopes is a new era for both the organization and driver Aric Almirola. Amid the glitz of midtown Manhattan, RPM on Wednesday announced extended agreements with both the sponsor and driver of its flagship No. 43 car, the vehicle co-owner Richard Petty made famous through seven championships and autograph signings too many to count. Crucial to the deal is an increased commitment from Smithfield Foods,* which has expanded to 29 races for this season and each of the next two years, with the company's investment in RPM increasing 50 percent each year through 2016. The deal includes a contract extension for Almirola, who began driving the No. 43 car in the 2012 season, and whose new terms run concurrent with the Smithfield agreement. More...