2011 Southern 500 Victory Still Holds Special Place For Regan Smith
May 3, 2012
Defending champion looks forward to returning to Darlington Raceway on May 12 for the Bojangles’ Southern 500
DARLINGTON, SC – May 3, 2012 – Regan Smith, driver of the No. 78Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, pulledoff one of the most surprising victories of the 2011 season when he heldoff a hard-charging Carl Edwards on old tires to win the Southern 500at Darlington Raceway.
Nearly one year later, he still acknowledges his Southern 500 win as oneof the greatest racing moments in his career. With his name foreverbeing listed on the Johnny Mantz trophy, Smith will now come back toDarlington Raceway for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 race weekend on May11-12 with a different title – defending champion.
“Winning the Southern 500 last year was a memorable milestone for ourteam,” Smith said. “It’s still unbelievable that we pulled it off. Irecently tweeted that I would rather win the Southern 500 then win thelottery, and I am not changing my stance on that! I look forward tocoming back on May 11-12 and trying to defend my win. No matter what,Darlington will always hold a special place for me.”
Winning a race in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series is a career-defining momentfor most drivers, Smith included. Earning that first victory racingagainst the sport’s top drivers on the sport’s toughest track earns alittle more respect and makes the walk through the garage a littledifferent – like you belong with the best of the best.
“We had special rings made up for our first Sprint Cup win and I wearmine proudly,” Smith said. “To do it at such a historic venue likeDarlington Raceway means a lot. Many of the sport’s best drivers havenever won at Darlington so to have my name listed on the Johnny Mantztrophy next to so many of the greats that have conquered the track thatis Too Tough to Tame will always be one of my greatest racingachievements.”
Smith will return to Darlington on May 11-12 for the Bojangles’ Southern500 race weekend, this time with a feeling of having home-courtadvantage as the defending champion.
“When we unloaded the car off the truck at last year’s Southern 500, Ifelt we were going to have a car that was fast enough to win the race,as I have felt at many tracks,” Smith said. “It just so happened lastyear that I was right. I think the feeling will be back when we get toDarlington in a few weeks. Being the defending champion, I’m verycomfortable saying that.”
Tickets to the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern500 on May 12 and Nationwide Series VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 onFriday, May 11 can be purchased by calling 866-459-7223 or by visiting DarlingtonRaceway.com. Remember, kids 17 and under are half off for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 and FREE for the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200.
Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway, or the track Too Tough To Tame, asit is known to many, is where the purest of NASCAR competition meetstrue southern hospitality. A NASCAR staple since 1950, DarlingtonRaceway has seen some of motorsports most talented drivers thunder toGatorade Victory Lane. On Mother’s Day weekend, May 11-12, 2012,NASCAR’s biggest stars return to battle the track Too Tough To Tame inthe Sprint Cup Series Bojangles Southern 500® and Nationwide Series VFWSport Clips Help a Hero 200.
You can keep up with all of the latest news from Darlington Raceway at DarlingtonRaceway.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DarlingtonRaceway and on Twitter at Twitter.com/TooToughToTame.
