CHARLOTTE, NC — It appeared that Regan Smith would be without a ride for the 2016 NASCAR season, but fate wouldn’t allow that.
Former NASCAR XFINITY Series driver Regan Smith has been tapped to replace Alex Bowman as the driver of the No. 7 Chevrolet SS for Tommy Baldwin Racing. The official announcement came on SiriusXM Speedway on SiriusXM Satellite Radio with host Dave Moody Thursday night at 6:30 p.m.
Motorsport.com’s Lee Spencer first reported that Tommy Baldwin Racing dismissed driver Alex Bowman after one season – even after an apparent contract option was picked up last summer. The team later confirmed Bowman’s departure in a press release.
“As NASCAR transitions to different business and competition models, teams have to make decisions accordingly,” said team owner Tommy Baldwin. “We appreciate what Alex contributed during 2015 and wish him the best in the future.”
Bowman’s unexpected and sudden release has resulted in an unexpected, but welcomed opportunity for Smith.
“This has been a crazy few days, but I’m really excited that we were able to put this together,” Smith said. “I have a ton of respect for Tommy and what he’s built there. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
“Our son Rhett turns one next month, so I’ll be putting in my request for some Road Rippers cars. That’s a pretty good perk too!”
Despite three full-time NASCAR XFINITY Series seasons driving for JR Motorsports with five wins to boot, the lack of sponsorship for the approaching season forced the Dale Earnhardt Jr.-owned team agreed to amicably part ways following the season-finale at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.
While Smith was rumored across the board from NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams to low-budget Sprint Cup Series operations, the placement of him with Tommy Baldwin is a snug situation.
TBR’s technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing continues to improve the on-track product of the No. 7 Chevrolet. Mix that partnership in with Smith’s driving capabilities, the match could produce a solid, consistent flow of firm results dabbled with a few surprise finishes.
And in 2016 where performance is once again becoming a peaking stagger at NASCAR’s highest level, Tommy Baldwin Racing may have found a victory before the season even started.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
