NASCAR: RPM cuts back to one car for '17

Brian Scott's unexpected retirement following the 2016 season has resulted in Richard Petty Motorsports downsizing for next year.

Announced Friday, the organization will focus on solely on the No. 43 Ford of Aric Almirola in 2017. Scott had driven the No. 44 for Petty in his rookie season in the premier series, finishing 31st in points with one top-10 finish. But Scott announced in early November that he was going to step away from racing when the season concluded to focus on his family.

Petty, which had charters for both cars, has already leased the charter from the No. 44 to Go Fas Racing.

"At the conclusion of the 2016 season, we evaluated how to best improve our on-track product," said Brian Moffitt, CEO of Richard Petty Motorsports in a statement. "We feel that it's in the best interest of our partners and for Richard Petty Motorsports to focus our resources on the No. 43 Ford Fusion and Aric (Almirola) in 2017.

"A concentrated effort on one team will position us for improvement while giving us adequate time to reestablish our two-car team in 2018. For the interim, we will lease one of our two charters."

Almirola has been full-time with Richard Petty Motorsports since 2012. He earned his first career win at Daytona International Speedway in July of 2014, which earned him a spot in the Chase for the first time. In 2016, Almirola finished 26th in points with one top-10 finish.

The 2017 season will be the first time Richard Petty Motorsports in its current form has not had more than one full-time car in the premier series.