. Regan Smith, who piloted Furniture Row Racing to its breakthrough first victory on the Sprint Cup tour last season, has been told he won ‘t be back in the organization’s #78 car next year. Smith confirmed the news to NASCAR.com after qualifying Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. ‘I ‘ve been told it appears I won ‘t be back here next year,’ Smith said. Furniture Row’s general manager, Joe Garone, could not immediately be located for comment. Smith didn ‘t want to speculate on the reasons behind the impending change and he said he’s unsure if he will finish the season in the #78 Chevy (NASCAR.com).
AND Regan Smith does not believe he will return to Furniture Row Racing in 2013, possibly opening the door for much-maligned driver Kurt Busch. Furniture Row general manager Joe Garone has expressed interest in hiring Busch since January and the team has been seeking sponsorship to field a second car for him. Busch confirmed Friday that he has talked with Garone as well as other teams. ‘They ‘ve shown good interest and so have others,’ Busch said. ‘There’s a handful of contracts sitting on my desk and it’s just a matter of going through some detail with each of the teams.’ Furniture Row general manager Joe Garone said in an email Friday that his team is interested in Busch but that Busch has talked with other teams as well. Richard Petty Motorsports is among the organizations that has not signed its drivers for next season and also could be a candidate for Busch. When asked Friday if he would be back with Furniture Row next season, Smith said, ‘I don ‘t believe so.’
‘There’s a lot to it, is the best way I can put it,’ said Smith, who moved to Denver last year to be closer to the Colorado-based team. ‘It’s a place where I ‘ve been for a while. I ‘m happy here. I like it here. But sometimes change isn ‘t bad, either.’ Smith said he has been talking to other teams about 2013.(Sporting News)(9-21-2012)
UPDATE: That someone could be Kurt Busch or Brian Vickers. Both drivers are on the short list for Furniture Row which recently re-signed its technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing. Busch met with Furniture Row principals back in early July.(FoxSports)(9-22-2012)
