Outstanding at Daytona

Posted on: February 27, 2013

Phoenix Racing and Guy Roofing set the tone for a successful 2013 season with an outstanding performance in the season-opening Daytona 500. Utilizing sound pit strategy and effective spotting, Regan Smith methodically carved his way through a talent-filled field to capture a top-10 finish in the “Great American Race.”

Smith’s Guy Roofing Chevy was tight on exit in the initial stages of the race. Crew chief Nick Harrison called for right-side tires, along with an air pressure adjustment to help the car’s handling on the team’s first pit stop, Lap 23. Smith left the pits in 30th place. On Lap 32, a multi-car accident littered the track. Smith’s car wasn’t damaged, but he did run through debris, so the team called him into the pits for a four-tire pit stop. He returned to the track in 23rd place. The Guy Roofing Chevy made its next pit stop on Lap 70 under green conditions. The team changed right-side tires and made a wedge adjustment to loosen up the car. The next caution flag waved on Lap 84. The 51 team used the caution period to change left-side tires and remove tape from the grill to cool the engine. He took the restart on Lap 90 in 21st place. On Lap 130, the team relinquished ninth place to make a green-flag pit stop. They changed right-side tires and gassed up the Guy Roofing Chevy. He rejoined the field in 14th place. The caution flag slowed the action on Lap 137. The crew called Regan into the pits for left-side tires and fuel. He took the ensuing green flag, Lap 147, in 16th place. Smith made another green flag pit stop on Lap 174 for fuel only, but not before leading a lap of the Daytona 500. On Lap 191, the final caution flag of the race waved for debris on the track. Smith lined up for the restart in 14th place. He charged hard to pick up seven spots before taking the checkered flag.

Smith’s performance matched his best-ever finish in the Daytona 500. Smith made 220 green flag passes throughout the event. Smith ran 72 of the event’s 200 laps inside the top 15.

Smith’s Thoughts after the Race: “They’ll be partying in Spartanburg, S.C. tonight! This was a great way for Guy Roofing and Phoenix Racing to start the year. We had a really good car today. Our game plan was to take care of our equipment and stay out of trouble so that we’d be prepared for a shootout in the final laps of the race. When the race started, I spent most of my time just riding around. I experimented with the draft and learned what my car was capable of. Nick and the guys in the pits did a great job keeping me in the lead pack and keeping up with the handling of the car. When we came down to the last quarter of the race, I knew that every position was crucial. I fought for every spot I could. Steve (Barkdoll, spotter) did a great job of letting me know who was around me, which lines were moving and where I needed to be. I just kept inching my way forward and we came away with a top-10. It’s pretty amazing that we scored a top-10 in our backup car. That’s a testament to this team’s hard work and all of the effort they put forth this weekend. What a great way to start the year!”

Guy Roofing and Phoenix Racing will team up next week at Phoenix International Raceway for the Subway Fresh Fit 500. The race starts on Sunday, March 3 at 3:00 ET. FOX, MRN and Sirius Satellite Radio will broadcast the event.