While no contracts have been signed, a Furniture Row Racing team official confirmed Monday Regan Smith as the "leading candidate" to drive the No. 78 Chevrolet Impala SS this season.

Furniture Row announced in November that it would buy out driver Joe Nemechek's contract and cut back to a 12 race schedule for 2009.

Furniture Row has reportedly tested with several different drivers over the past few weeks, offering Smith a contract that team officials expect him to sign "any day now."

Smith was named the 2008 Cup Series Rookie of the Year after becoming the first rookie candidate in history to complete all thirty-four events without a DNF. His best finish to date is fourteenth although he came close to winning the fall race at Talledega and was credited with eighteenth when NASCAR ruled he went below the yellow line on the final lap.

A formal announcement is expected next week. Visit HardcoreRaceFans.com for updates.