Last Lap Accident Results in 22nd-place Finish for Smith in Strong Talladega Run

TALLADEGA, Ala.  (April 27, 2008) – Dale Earnhardt Inc. driver Regan Smith did everything he needed to do during Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. The rookie-of-the-year candidate bided his time early, running with the large pack of cars in the middle, while preparing to make his move towards the front at the end of the race when the time was right.
 
Smith was able to avoid trouble for the first 187 laps of the 188 lap event. Unfortunately, all of the planning went out the window on the final lap when he was caught up in the melee of a 12-car accident. Smith managed to limp his No. 01 Chevrolet around the track to finish 22nd in the event.
 
“Man, I really thought it we were going to get through this thing without finding any trouble,” Smith said after the race. “Once we missed the big wreck that took out Martin (Truex), I thought everyone was done wrecking. I guess I should’ve known better.”
 
Teammate Martin Truex Jr. was taken out in an earlier multi-car accident on lap 174.
 
“I’m just really proud of everyone on this DEI/Principal Financial Group Chevrolet team,” continued Smith. “We had a great car today and I thought we had a shot at a top-10 finish. We were being patient out there, just trying to stay out of trouble. Unfortunately, we got caught up in a situation where we had no where to go.”
 
Even with the late-race bad luck, Smith and the DEI/Principal Financial Group remained 35th in owner points, guaranteeing them a starting position in next week’s event at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.