January 14, 2009 6:48 PM

Smith to drive for FRR

Denver's Furniture Row Racing is planning on running only a limited 2009 Sprint Cup schedule because of economic reasons but the team has a driver for the 12 races it will to enter.

Regan Smith, the 2008 Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year, will drive the No. 78 Chevrolet.

"I look forward to continuing my career in the No. 78 Furniture row Chevy," Smith said. "Thought it's a single-car team that battles heavy odds against the mega multicar operations, the organization has always been highly respected in the garage for its use of some of the best equipment as well an undying commitment to growing a winning team. That's all a driver can ask for and I can't wait to get to Daytona and compete in another superspeedway race."

The team will attempt to qualify for the Feb. 15 Daytona 500 as the first of the 12 races it will enter. Other races on the Furniture Row schedule are Las Vegas, Phoenix, Talladega, Dover, Sonoma, Daytona in July, Watkins Glen, Richmond, Dover, Talladega in November and Phoenix in November.

"Furniture Row Racing is thrilled to obtain the driving services of Regan, who is one of the bright young talents in NASCAR," team president and general manager Joe Garone said. "His competitiveness and enthusiasm on the track speak for itself. In addition, he is a good fit for not only our sponsor but any partners looking for strong corporate representation in the Sprint Cup Series."

Smith, 25, drove in 34 Cup races last season for Dale Earnhardt Inc. and became the first rookie to finish every race he started. The Cato, N.Y. native began his Cup career in 2007 as a part-time driver for Ginn Racing. He joined DEI in the middle of 2007 when DEI and Ginn merged their racing operations.

Last October at Talladega, he was winning the race after passing Tony Stewart on the final lap but was assessed a penalty for passing Stewart below the yellow line and was relegated to 18th place.

Posted by Jim Benton at 6:48 PM | Comments (0)