Smith signs extension with Furniture Row

DENVER -- Furniture Row Racing on Thursday announced that Regan Smith has signed a contract extension through the 2012 season to drive the team's No. 78 Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup Series.

Smith

Smith, the 2008 Cup rookie of the year, is currently in his second season driving for the Colorado-based Furniture Row Racing team, with a best finish of 14th at Atlanta. Last year he competed on a part-time basis, entering 20 races, and scored a career-best finish of 12th in the July race at Daytona. Smith, 26, is running a full schedule this season and will do the same in '11 and '12.

"Regan is a young, talented driver with an outstanding future," said Joe Garone, Furniture Row Racing general manager. "He has done a great job as our athlete and also as a spokesperson for our organization. The contract extension does indeed express a serious commitment by both the race team and driver.

"We have a team of proven employees, state-of-the-art equipment and dedicated partners. We are producing increasingly positive performances and strongly feel that we're on the right path to become a contending team."

Smith, who has competed in 83 career Cup races since his debut in March 2007, also feels the energy and spirit of Furniture Row Racing's commitment.

"I am both happy and humbled about the contract extension," Smith said. "Furniture Row Racing is a team on the move. I feel we've made some big gains this season and we are all encouraged about the future. I really admire the behind-the-scenes work ethic and commitment of each and every member of this team. They want to win as bad as I do and I am proud to be their driver."