Regan Smith will again replace Almirola in RPM's No. 43

Officials with Richard Petty Motorsports said they are currently on a race-to-race basis for Almirola’s replacement but hope to have a longer term plan in place by next week.

Smith filled in for Almirola in last weekend’s Monster Energy All-Star Race events and finished fourth in the Open, a qualifying race for the main event.

Smith will join the No. 43 team in representing the U.S. Air Force for Memorial Day weekend and will pay tribute to fallen Senior Airmen Mark Forester in the 600 Miles of Remembrance program as part of the 600.

“As I said many times last weekend, to get to drive 'The King's' 43 car means so much to me. The Coca-Cola 600 is one of my favorite races of the year, and Sunday is the coolest motorsports day,” Smith said. “It will be a lot more fun being a part of such an iconic day than just being a spectator for all of the races.

“I’m honored to race with Senior Airmen Mark Forester on the car and pay tribute to his sacrifice.”

Almirola suffered a compression fracture of his T5 vertebra following in a wreck two weeks ago at Kansas Speedway. He is expected to miss eight to 12 weeks of competition while he recovers.

Smith has 11 Cup starts at CMS with a best finish of eighth in the spring of 2011.

Click on the video below on the announcement