Smith Aims to Run Up Front With Chase Contenders at Richmond

Regan Smith feels Saturday’s Sprint Cup race – the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway, has the makings of being a “wild and crazy” night at the historic short track.

“With all the different Chase scenarios, there’s plenty of excitement brewing heading into the final pre-Chase race,” said Smith. “Though I am not in contention for a Chase spot, I am still pumped about this weekend. My  only focus is to run up front and fight for every attainable position in our Furniture Row/Farm American Chevrolet.”

Smith and the Denver-based Furniture Row Racing have been showing more muscle recently. The team is coming off a strong performance in Atlanta where it just missed its third top-10 finish in five races.

Smith was ensconced in ninth place with four laps remaining in Sunday’s night’s 500 miler at Atlanta, but a late caution sent the race into a two-lap overtime shootout. Smith, who had trouble on fresh tires all night, could not get up to speed on the final restart and fell back to a 14th-place finish.

“After seeing a top-10 slip away in Atlanta, I can’t wait to get back in the car and prove that we are capable of knocking off top-10s on a regular basis,” explained the 28-year-old Smith.

Smith feels all systems are ripe to post a career-best finish at the.75-mile oval. His best result in eight career starts at Richmond was 17th, which came in the 2011 spring race.

“Richmond would be an opportune time to showcase our potential by putting ourselves in position to run neck-and-neck with the Chase contenders,” said Smith.

Furniture Row Racing PR