Regan Smith, 2011 winner of the prestigious Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, aims to claim an additional NASCAR crown jewel this weekend. Smith and Phoenix Racing will team up to tackle the high banks of Daytona International Speedway in one of NASCAR’s most coveted races, the Daytona 500. Smith will pilot the No. 51 Guy Roofing Chevrolet in his sixth Daytona 500 attempt.
“Daytona is one of our most special races,” Smith said. “If you win the Daytona 500, your name is forever followed by ‘a former Daytona 500 winner’. It’s a victory that will always be a highlight of your career. Like the Southern 500, it’s one of NASCAR’s most historic and coveted events. It’s one that everyone wants to win and say that they reached victory lane there. I am excited about working with Phoenix Racing this weekend and our chance to make history with our Guy Roofing Chevrolet.”
“This race can be an emotional roller coaster,” continued Smith. “Anything can happen at Daytona. There’s never a dull moment. Just when you think you’re safe or expecting to get a good finish, you can run into trouble and ruin your day. At the same time, you can race from the back of the pack to the front in just a few laps, so you’re never out of it. You’ll experience some very highs and lows during the 500 miles, that’s for sure.”
Smith has 10 previous Sprint Cup Series starts at the 2.5-mile historic track. He’s garnered one top-10 and six top-25s, achieving a best finish of seventh place in 2011. Leading Smith’s charge will be crew chief Nick Harrison. Harrison and Smith worked together for two Sprint Cup races in 2012. The duo’s best finish was at Phoenix International Raceway, which Smith started eighth and finished 24th.
Guy Roofing will make its Sprint Cup Series debut as sponsor of Smith’s No. 51 Chevrolet. Guy Roofing Inc. is a family owned and operated business with a national footprint specializing in storm related roof replacements. All of their roofing specialists are experienced and trained in the insurance claim process.
“Guy Roofing is next door to our race shop, so we better give them a good race or they know where to find us,” joked Steve Barkdoll, general manager of Phoenix Racing. “In all seriousness, I’m delighted to have them as a partner. NASCAR’s fan loyalty and broad fan base make our sport a terrific venue for them to share their brand and message, and I look forward to racing with them this season.”
The Daytona 500 will start at 1:00 on Sunday, February 24. The event will broadcast on FOX, MRN and Sirius Satellite Radio.
Phoenix Racing PR
- FRIDAY FEATURE – Mike Greci: Veteran Presence - March 29, 2013
- Video: Danica Patrick wrecks out at Phoenix - March 3, 2013
- Danica Patrick Phoenix Accident Quotes - March 3, 2013