Phoenix Racing team owner James Finch is close to settling on his lineup for 2013. Finch said Thursday that Regan Smith will run the Daytona 500 in the #51 Chevy. But with Smith concentrating on his new gig with JR Motorsports, there will be an opportunity for AJ Allmendinger as well. ‘Regan will go to Daytona for us, but I want to help AJ run some races, too’ Finch said. ‘Were still working on the final schedule, but AJ will probably run Phoenix (International Raceway on March 3) for us.” Allmendinger made his comeback with Phoenix Racing in October at Charlotte after completing NASCARs ‘Road to Recovery” program for violating the sports substance-abuse policy. His top result with the team was 24th in that race.( Fox Sports )(12-21-2012) UPDATE: James (Finch) telling Newschannel 7 Sports hes committed to run at least 18 Cup races in 2013, starting with the Daytona 500. He says hes secured a sponsor for both Daytona races in February, but wont announce that sponsor until after the first. James says Regan Smith will drive for Phoenix in the Daytona 500. Finch will use Smith for some other Cup races, though hell have to share Smith, since he will drive the Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports. Allmendinger is another driver Finch would like to use on the Cup Series. AJ ran the final four races of 2012 for Phoenix and James says he liked how AJ handled the car. Allmendinger though apparently considering some offers to race Indy cars. As for running the whole cup circuit, Finch says hes hoping for some early success and that more sponsorship will come along, making running a full slate more possible.( News Channel 7, Panama City Beach, FL )(12-28-2012) UPDATE 2: As the clock winds down on 2012, Phoenix Racing, based in Spartanburg, is looking ahead to the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, and its going to be a season full of changes. ‘One of the biggest changes is the change in the Chevy body styles’ Hendersonvilles Steve Barkdoll, general manager of Phoenix Racing, said. ‘Sprint Cup is going to the Chevy SS and Nationwide to the Chevy Camaro. For a small team like us, that creates a lot more work, and our guys in the shop are doing an incredible job. Theyve been working non-stop to get ready for the season, and weve already got a couple of new cars in the shop that look really sharp.” Just like last year, Phoenix Racing will be using multiple drivers. ‘For Daytona, well be going with Regan Smith, who also drives for Dale Jr.s Nationwide team. Since Regan is committed to the Nationwide Series, he wont be able to run a full Cup schedule with us. Well be looking to other drivers throughout the year, including A.J. Allmendinger again.”( Spartanburg Herald Journal )(12-30-2012) UPDATE 3: Phoenix Racing will put Regan Smith in its car for the Daytona 500 and plans to have Smith and AJ Allmendinger share driving duties for its Sprint Cup team in 2013. It also hopes to reunite with Kurt Busch for Nationwide Series races. Team general manager Steve Barkdoll said Tuesday that the team plans to field a Cup car for the entire season and a Nationwide car for restrictor-plate events plus other select races. Smith will drive the Cup car at Daytona and possibly in seven to 10 races throughout the season. Barkdoll said he expects Allmendingers first race to be at Phoenix. The team plans to announce sponsorship for the Cup events at Daytona and Las Vegas as well as the Nationwide race at Daytona soon. Barkdoll said the current plan is to run a full season in Cup but if no sponsorship materializes during the season, the schedule could be cut back. The team will use Hendrick engines all season, Barkdoll said. ( Sporting News (1-8-2013)
