Fw: Regan Smith Shows Perseverance Pays Off

Sent: Monday, October 29, 2001 10:37 AM
Subject: Regan Smith Shows Perseverance Pays Off


Contact: Jason Wise, (704) 663-7223 
or E-Mail: Jwise28@aol.com 

- For Immediate Release - 

Regan Smith Shows Perseverance Pays Off 

USAR ProCup Series Driver Scores Top-15 Finish at Concord Motorsports Park 

MOORESVILLE, N.C., (October 29, 2001) - Regan Smith showed this past Saturday night in USAR ProCup Series action at Concord (N.C.) Motorsports Park that perseverance pays off as the 18-year-old rising star brought the No. 28 Lucas Oil/Diamond Cut Jeans Chevrolet Monte Carlo home in 12th place. 

"We had a really strong car all night and I am very pleased with our performance," Smith said. "The way our night started I wasn't so sure that we would get a solid finish." 

After qualifying the No. 28 Lucas Oil/Diamond Cut Jeans machine in the eighth starting position, Smith was using patience to work his way to the front. On a restart during an early caution, the leaders did not get up to speed and the field bunched up behind them. The result for Smith would be front-end damage that would force him to come to the attention of his crew on pit road. 

With repairs made to his car, Smith was forced to restart from the rear, but quickly showed the strength of his entry. During a caution on lap 72, Smith came in for a regularly scheduled pit stop that would set him up for the finish of the 250-lap event. 

When the leaders pitted during a caution on lap 94, Smith found himself sitting in fourth place and eyeing the top spot. Smith would get as close as third place during the middle stages of the event before settling into the top five. 

With the laps winding down, Smith began to fight a handling condition and during a caution on lap 185, he pitted for an adjustment. Once again at the back of the field, Smith showed the patience and skill of a veteran racer as he rocketed his way through the field. By lap 215, the Mooresville, N.C. resident was running 14th and when the checkered flag waved, Smith had worked his way back up to the 12th position. 

"I am very proud of everyone on this team," Smith said. "We brought a new crew chief, Scott Sutherland, on board for these last two races and it is certainly going to pay off. The communication between Scott and myself is very good and he definitely brings depth to this race team." 

"I want to thank Lucas Oil, Diamond Cut Jeans and R.L.S. Structures for supporting me in this effort." Smith added. "I can't wait to get to Lakeland for the final race." 

The USAR ProCup Series takes a month off before heading back into action for the final championship race of the season Nov. 24 at USA Int'l Speedway in Lakeland, Fla. 

Catch Smith battle back from adversity at Concord Motorsports Park on Speedvision, Thursday, Nov. 8 at 9:00 p.m. EST. 

To learn more about Regan Smith, visit his website at www.regansmith.com. 


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