NASCAR Cup

Pocono: Regan Smith race report

Handling Problems Drop Smith to 33rd-Place Finish in Pocono LONG POND, Pa. (June 7, 2009) -- A mechanical gremlin that wouldn't go away stalled Regan Smith's performance as the Furniture Row Racing driver posted a 33rd-place finish in Sunday's ...

Published: Oct 2, 2009, 4:48 PM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Handling Problems Drop Smith to 33rd-Place Finish in Pocono

LONG POND, Pa. (June 7, 2009) -- A mechanical gremlin that wouldn't go away stalled Regan Smith's performance as the Furniture Row Racing driver posted a 33rd-place finish in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway.

The No. 78 Furniture Row team had two solid practices Saturday, but when the green flag dropped to start the Pocono 500 Smith immediately encountered handling issues with his Chevrolet Impala SS.

"We fought handling problems all day," offered Smith. "It didn't feel at all like the same car we had in (Saturday's) practices."

Smith, who was competing in the eighth of the 14 Sprint Cup races contested this season, could never find the proper balance and eventually fell two laps down during the 200-lap, 500-mile race.

"Today was one of those days you just chalk up to a learning experience," added Smith, who has posted five top-22 finishes with the Denver, Colo.-based part-time team. "I know there will be better days ahead for the Furniture Row team."

Crew chief Jay Guy said, "We're not sure why the car reacted the way it did today. It wasn't that way during yesterday's practices. We either missed something or something broke. But Regan hung in there and got the most of what he had to work with."

The one bit of good news for Smith is that he kept his streak alive of running at the finish in every one of his 49 career Cups starts. The 2008 Rookie of the Year will look to make it 50 straight without a DNF (did not finish) at the team's next scheduled race -- July 28 at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon.

-credit: frr

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article Pocono: Series race report

Next article Pocono: Matt Kenseth race report

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”

GT World Challenge Europe Endurance

WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 1 h

Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”

How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Phoenix II

1 h

How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV

Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing

NASCAR O'Reilly

NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly

Phoenix II

1 h

Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing

Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Singapore GP

7 h

Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Become a subscriber.
Disable your adblocker.

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts