DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Richard Petty Motorsports has signed
Smithfield Foods to sponsor Aric Almirola for 15 races.

The Smithfield, Va.-based company plans to use a variety of its products on the No. 43 Ford. The deal is three years, but it's not clear how many races will be sponsored in 2013 and 2014. The deal between the racing company and the world's largest pork producer was announced Thursday during the first day of testing at Daytona International Speedway.

Almirola was hired last week to drive Petty's famed car. The seat became available when AJ Allmendinger took a job with Penske Racing. Almirola will make his debut with the team Feb. 26 season-opening Daytona 500.