(WOMR file photo)
After losing his Furniture Row Racing ride to Kurt Busch for to 2013, and in fact, for the rest of 2012, JR Motorsports has announced that they have hired Regan Smith to drive the JRM #5 Chevy full time in the Nationwide Series in 2013.
General Manager Kelley Earnhardt Miller said Smith will make his JRM debut this year, as the company will field three teams for the Nov. 17 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Smith will join teammates Cole Whitt in the JRM #88 Chevy and Danica Patrick in the JRM #7 Chevy, in the season finale.
Smith has not competed in the Nationwide Series since 2007 when he tallied three top-fives, five top-10s, and a pole award at Kentucky Speedway. Smith’s #5 Chevy, to date, is the only JRM entry cemented for a full-season slate in 2013. Earnhardt Miller said the goal of the organization is still to run two full-time teams the #5 and #7, in addition to Earnhardt Jr. competing in select Nationwide Series races in the JRM#88 Chevy.
“We feel it is important for our sponsors, our fans, and even Dale to keep his Nationwide Series number consistent with his Cup number,” Earnhardt Miller said. “His brand is associated with the #88. That’s what makes him distinguishable on the race track, so it’s only natural that he drives the #88 all the time. To do that, we are making our #5 Chevy our full-time entry. We hope to have Cole in the #7 full time in 2013, and we are working hard on securing sponsorship for that.(JR Motorsports)
With the news of Regan Smith now becoming a part of the JR Motorsports team beginning at Homestead-Miami, the last race of 2012, and the fact that JR Motorsports is realigning their race teams numbers, putting Smith in the JRM #5 and hopefully Cole Whitt in the JRM #7 in 2013. That will allow Dale Jr. to keep his brand, and race the #88 in the Nationwide races he runs in 2013. It also appears the JR Motorsports is poised to make a run at the Nationwide Series championship next year with this new lineup!
Regan Smith will, undoubtedly, give JR Motorsports an experienced veteran to boost their performance in 2013. What are your views?
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
2 Comments on “Regan Smith To JR Motorsports in 2013”