Smith’s frustrating weekend ends with final-lap wreck in Sonoma

Just when it appeared the weekend couldn’t get any worse for Regan Smith, the Furniture Row Racing driver took the final blow on the final lap in Sunday’s Sprint Cup event at the road course in Sonoma.

While struggling with handling issues to maintain a 27th place position during the overtime green-white-checkered finish, Smith got caught up in a multicar wreck, which dropped him to a 32nd-place finish and a torn-up race car.

“There was a cluster of cars spinning in front of me and I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Smith, who was not injured in the incident. “It was indeed a frustrating ending to a frustrating weekend.”

Smith, who qualified 31st, had handling issues from the get-go and could not find the proper balance for his No. 78 Furniture Row/Farm American Chevrolet.

“The car was loose and and it lacked grip, which made it difficult to maneuver around this demanding road course,” explained Smith. “Our Furniture Row crew worked hard on adjustments but we never could get it dialed in. Though things weren’t going our way, we fought hard and I hated to lose those five positions at the end.”

Smith added, “What’s even more frustrating for me is that I really enjoy road racing and not to come away with a good result adds to the disappointment. Hopefully we’ll have a better showing in the next road race in Watkins Glen (N.Y., Aug. 12).

Smith remains 25th in the driver point standings.

The race winner was Clint Bowyer. Rounding out the top-10 in order were: Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Brian Vickers, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Greg Biffle, Marcos Ambrose, AJ Allmendinger and Joey Logano.

There were eight lead changes among five drivers and two cautions for seven laps.

The next Sprint Cup Series race is Saturday night (June 30) at Kentucky Speedway.

FRR PR