Regan Smith will drive for Phoenix Racing in the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, according to FoxSports.com. Smith was recently told that he would not return to Furniture Row Racing’s No. 78 team next season. That team has hired Kurt Busch.
Steve Barkdoll, of Phoenix, said:
We’re looking forward to having Regan in our car. Regan performed the tire test at Kansas, and that should be helpful at intermediate tracks. We believe he can help get our program back on track and help attract sponsorship going forward.
This deal seems to be a one-off deal, with no word on who will drive the team’s No. 51 after Charlotte.
Smith is said to be a candidate to drive for JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series next season. Smith’s former crew chief Ryan Pemberton moved to JRM last month, which could make Smith a good fit for the team.
Update: Dale Earnhardt Jr sustained a concussion in a last lap crash at Talladega, and he will miss the next two Sprint Cup races. Smith will fill in for him in the Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevy, meaning he won’t drive the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevy at Charlotte. No word on who Smith’s replacement will be.
Update 2: AJ Allmendinger will drive the No. 51 car at Charlotte.
[...] was slated to make his debut with Phoenix Racing in the No. 51 at Charlotte. No word as to whether or not that team will enter the Bank of America 500 or who the driver would [...]