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Top rookie Regan Smith still in limbo over 2009 Sprint Cup ride
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
NEW YORK – Regan Smith doesn’t expect to be part of the new Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing team but said Wednesday he continues to have promising discussions with other teams.
Smith, talking at the New York City bar Foley’s as part of his winning NASCAR’s top Sprint Cup rookie award, said he has little dialogue with the new leadership at Earnhardt-Ganassi in the weeks since he completed his first Sprint Cup season at Dale Earnhardt Inc.
DEI and Chip Ganassi Racing are merging and the No. 01 car Smith drove in 2008 will not be around next season.
“I’m not going to say there’s no chance of it, but I haven’t had very much conversation with them [at Earnhardt-Ganassi] about it,” Smith said. “It’s probably more of a slim chance than some of the other opportunities I’ve got right now.”
Among the teams Smith has visited was Furniture Row Racing in Colorado. That team likely will run a partial schedule next season.
“I’ve been to the shop, and it’s a great place, a great organization and they’ve got a lot of tools to work with out there,” Smith said. “I was definitely very impressed with it. I didn’t realize there was a shop with that much technology outside of North Carolina.”
Smith is no stranger to living in uncertainty, having emerged as a Cup rookie at DEI after the DEI-Ginn Racing merger in 2007.
“I got a great opportunity from those guys this year and they gave me everything they had,” Smith said. “Sometimes change is good for everybody involved. Ultimately, what it boils down to is the 01 car [didn’t] have sponsorship for next year.
“As a company, they’ve got to do what they’ve got to do to survive, and as a driver, I’ve got to do what’s best for me, too.”
At least Smith hasn’t lost his sense of humor. In talking about his award, he was told he needed to stand closer to the microphone. The event emcee, Fox Sports’ Krista Voda, piped in and said it was her fault for crowding the microphone area.
To which Smith replied: “I didn’t know if I was forcing her over or what” when referring on how close to get to the microphone with Voda standing next to them.
Smith, of course, was talking about the race at Talladega Superspeedway where he was the first to cross the finish line, but NASCAR ruled Smith had passed Tony Stewart when he went below the yellow line without being forced. Smith has claimed he was forced below the yellow line and the pass should have been legal.
Even Rick Hendrick, team owner of Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, had something to say about that.
“You had a heck of a year,” Hendrick said. “That was one of the most awesome plate races I have ever seen. And I do think you won that race.”
Mentioned Drivers: Regan Smith
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10 responses to "Top rookie Regan Smith still in limbo over 2009 Sprint Cup ride". Post a Comment.
Daniel Kelley said:
Dec 3, 2008 at 7:05 PMIt's too bad that the Rookie of the year is without a ride and the foreigner's have rides. Get rid of Montoya, he doesn't impress me. With him driving there's a wreck ready to happen.
terry ruth said:
Dec 3, 2008 at 8:48 PMI would love to see him get tutored by Awsome Bill while driving the # 21 Ford
Steve C said:
Dec 4, 2008 at 2:18 AMI know the kid want's to race (Sprint Cup) but he would be better off driving Nationwide or truck for a year or two until the economy lossens up rather than drive for furnuture row, The owners in this sport weight your preformance by the company you keep. The Wood Bros would be a good fit for Regan. They are respected by all of the owners.
Ryden Caparelli said:
Dec 4, 2008 at 11:06 AMRookie of the year? This guy is taking away the award because Sam Hornish failed to qualify for the race and the rest of the crowd either was gone by Homstead or failed to make enough races to put up a fight. Smith won rookie of the year by default, nothing more. Besides for Talladega (which is prone to unusual suspects running well) where was the 01 most of the season? Near the back of the pack. Regan Smith does not belong in the Cup Series and he will not be getting the 41 car. That car will more then likely be going to AJ Allemdinger who has shown a lot more improvement then Regan Smith has ever shown. I wouldnt look for Regan to be in a Cup car next year. I am not the biggest Montoya fan in the world, but if I am picking beween him and Smith, I am taking Montoya hands down. He will get my car in the top five and top ten a lot more then Smith will. besides for Talladega, does Regan Smith have another top five or top ten to his name, I really dont think he does.
Ryden Caparelli said:
Dec 4, 2008 at 11:07 AMThis by far was the worst Rookie class in some time.
terry ruth said:
Dec 4, 2008 at 11:58 AMRookies wrecked to many good drivers. They hurt smaller teams with one or two cars trying to get to front of pack from the middle. Rookie moves banged up a lot of veterens trying to crack the top 35.
Back To The Garden said:
Dec 4, 2008 at 12:42 PMAgreed and agreed. Regan Smith showed us nothing this entire season, spare the second Talladega race. The rookie class this season was dismal, and Regan wound up being the least worst of him and Hornish, who was the only one left with a ride at the end of the season. And I do hope that Allmendinger winds up driving the 41 car. He raced well with cars that other drivers couldn't do anything with.
Pat Draper said:
Dec 4, 2008 at 3:05 PMLets face facts folks this last season was terrible. If it had not been for Kyle and Cousin Carl it would have been to boring to watch. I hope I don't see Regan in a cup car next season, he is just not cup material yet. If anyone should be in a cup car it's AJ. sure hope to see him in 2009.
Kendall King said:
Dec 4, 2008 at 4:00 PMPeople lighten up for christ sake the kid earned it and deserves to enjoy it. As for Ryden if Sam had made the races and finished without wrecking he might have won it BUT you got to make a race to gain points and he didn't do it. As for as it goes DEI has not done there job and to merge with another looser of a team will not help any of them. If DEI had done what they should have they would have all cars sponsored and Jr would be leading the four teams. Regan will find another ride and he will improve. The best think for him is not to worry about DEI as it is time to close there doors and move on.
Andrew Briscoe said:
Dec 4, 2008 at 5:00 PMI have to agree that both Regan really shouldn't be getting the award and that this year's rookie class was terrible. It's depressing that the ROTY was like 32nd in points. And Kendall, he kinda earned it by default. His car was in the top-35 all year long, something no other rookie benefited from. He was sidelined for two races (both races that Sam was in..both Road Courses!). If Regan really deserves to be the best Rookie this year, he should have raced at the Road Courses. The best rookie doesn't get taken out their car just because they've never raced on a road course before.