Regan Smith: He's His Own Driver & Did He Hurt His Cup Chances?

When Regan Smith took the nod to sub for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 Chevy from HMS, this looked to be a great move and moment to shine for the driver.

I thought it was at least.  He stepped away from piloting the No. 51 car and stepped into the No. 88 car.  At the two tracks that he helmed the famed #88 Chevy, he did a great job of it.  His practice speeds at the last two tracks were in the top-10 easy, and he was competitive.

Fate had other plans for his car in the first replacement race (Charlotte) and he finished 7th at Kansas.  For once, someone was put in a good car and showed he can helm good equipment.

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But something that irked me was during race broadcasts, on a few occasions, Smith kept getting referred to as "Regan Smith in the Dale Earnhardt Jr. car."  I don't know about you, but though this was a great opportunity for Smith, it seemed a bit cheap, diminishing his personality by adding the modifier of whose car he was in.

All the fans knew it.  We didn't need reminding, and I think it would have been nice if they just called him out as maybe Regan Smith in the 88 car.  And let it stand there, rather than going for that extra bonus soundbite.

It's not a big deal, but I'm just saying...  I think Regan Smith fans would have appreciated that a bit more.

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Now word on the street is that when he took the substitute duties, he stepped away from the No. 51 car for the two weeks to helm the No. 88 car.  In his place, AJ Allmendinger, recently approved to drive again, took the helm of the N0. 51.

But now that Smith is free for Martinsville, it's being said that the 51 team is hanging on to Allmendinger for Martinsville.

No word on if this will extend beyond the paperclip track or not.

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My guess is that with the team not sure going into Monday morning where Smith would be, they may have had to make plans accordingly and that maybe after Martinsville, they'll go back to Smith.

But if they don't?

Even though he MIGHT have missed a Cup Series opportunity, I don't believe his help with the HMS issue will go unnoticed.  They know he's dependable and it looked like he can get the job done... and now they know it.

Next season, Smith is more than likely driving for JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series and that's pretty good news for Smith fans.  Again, something like saving for the future.  Even if he misses out on the Cup Series ride this season (And we don't know that for sure yet) I think he made a good investment.

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article resource:
sbnation.com



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