Photo Credit: Noel Lanier/OnPitRoad.com
Regan Smith will continue to fill-in for injured Aric Almirola after a successful fourth-place finish in the Monster Energy Open last weekend.
Smith will drive the No. 43 U.S. Air Force Ford on the Memorial Day weekend race in place of Almirola who was injured in a hard crash during the Go Bowling 400 at Kansas Speedway two weeks ago. Almirola is expected to be out for eight to 12 weeks.
“To me, there are a lot of cool things about helping out again this weekend, said Smith.” “Being able to represent the Air Force on Memorial Day weekend and show appreciation to those who make the ultimate sacrifice is very special to me.”
Smith, a veteran of the sport, will make his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start of the year in a points event. He ran the full season last year for Tommy Baldwin Racing, but was left without a full-time ride in the top-three series when the team opted to not run the full schedule this year. Smith is currently driving the No. 92 BTS Tire & Wheel Ford for Ricky Benton in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series where he has scored one top-10 finish and is 12th in points.
Richard Petty Motorsports has yet to confirm if Smith will continue to drive the No. 43 for the duration of Almirola’s recovery time, or if multiple drivers will get a shot behind the wheel.
