Catchfence

DENVER, Colo. (April 28, 2010) — Regan Smith is obviously frustrated by the cycle of bad luck that has struck his Furniture Row Racing team. But he is also a realist, knowing that this is something that practically every racer must endure at some point in a season.

Especially a season as long as NASCAR’s 10-month, 36-race point schedule.

The most recent bad luck to hit the Denver-based team was in Sunday’s restrictor-plate race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Smith ran consistently in the top-five and top-10 and was able to drive back to the front with ease after being shuffled out of the draft.

But to his dismay, an engine failure on Lap 100 of 200, sent Smith and his No. 78 Chevrolet home early.

“That one hurt, actually it stung for a while,” said Smith. “I understand it’s superspeedway racing, but this was a special car that had potential of bringing home a strong finish.”

What would make Smith feel a whole lot better is to have the same type of performance level, minus engine issues of course, in Saturday night’s Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway.

“I am in the majority when it comes to giving a thumbs up about the Richmond venue,” noted Smith. “It is one of the best tracks and races we have. It would even increase a few notches in my track preference meter if we can survive the bad luck whammy and finish strong in Saturday night’s race.”

Smith said being associated with the professionalism and polish of his Furniture Row team makes it easier to handle the not-so-good times.

“The guys feel bad for me and I in turn feel just as bad for them because I know that they are as dedicated as any team out there,” explained Smith. “There is no finger pointing, instead we have great camaraderie. When you have this type of team unity, it is much easier to let the past go and look to the future.”

Saturday’s race will be Smith’s fourth Cup start at Richmond. He finished 21st and 23rd in the 2008 Richmond races, and at the September race last year he suffered an accident and was credited with a 40th-place result.

- DMF Communications for Furniture Row Racing, Press Release