Smith signs deal to drive for Furniture Row in 2009

Regan Smith will compete in 12 races for Colorado-based Furniture Row Racing in 2009, starting with the season-opening Daytona 500, the team announced Wednesday.

Smith edged Sam Hornish Jr. for 2008 Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, but he gained more recognition for his controversial finish at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 5.

Smith

Smith crossed the finish line first, but NASCAR demoted him to 18th place for passing Tony Stewart on the final lap below the yellow "out-of-bounds" line that separates the racing surface from the apron. NASCAR declared Stewart the winner.

Smith's best official finish last year was 14th at Martinsville in March and at Bristol in August. He competed in 34 of 36 races in the No. 01 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet, having surrendered his seat to road-course ace Ron Fellows at Infineon and Watkins Glen. Smith finished every race he started, the first time a Cup rookie has accomplished that feat.

"I look forward to continuing my career in the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevy," Smith said. "Though it's a single-car team that battles heavy odds against the mega multicar operations, the organization has always been highly respected in the garage for its use of some of the best equipment as well as an undying commitment to growing a winning team.

"That's all a driver can ask for, and I can't wait to get to Daytona and compete in another superspeedway race."

Joe Nemechek competed in 32 races for Furniture Row in 2008 and was 37th in the final Cup standings. With the team paring down its schedule for 2009, Smith will compete in both Cup races at Daytona, Phoenix, Talladega and Dover; the road course races at Infineon and Watkins Glen; Las Vegas; and the second race at Richmond.