For many, a weekend off is a dream come true.  However, for Regan Smith, Jay Guy and the entire Furniture Row Racing team, watching last Sunday's race was heart-wrenching. Limiting themselves to running only a handful of races in 2009 in an effort to cut costs and stay in business, the team sat out the California event but will be back in action this weekend in Las Vegas.

"It was hard to watch," Smith admitted of last week's race. "When it's Sunday you want to be in a race car, competing against your peers. It was even more difficult to watch because of how well we ran in the Daytona 500. I wanted to be there mixing it up with everyone else."

After making the Daytona 500 on time, Smith pedaled the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet to a 21st-place finish. Heading to Vegas this weekend, the team hopes carry that success with them.

"Everyone on the team felt good about how it all came together at Daytona," general manager Joe Garone pointed out. "We had some issues early, but we worked through them and received good input from Regan. So far, it's been a short learning curve and that's why we're all excited to get back on track."

"I had a good time in Daytona and felt really comfortable in the new surroundings," Smith added. "Hopefully we can put it all together again in Las Vegas and come away with another solid team effort. We want to make the most out of every race we enter."

Outside the top-35 in owner points, the team's first goal will be simply making the show. With 51 cars on the entry list for this weekend's Shelby 427, this will be no easy task. Some sixteen cars will be vying for eight open positions, with one of those spots reserved for the past champion. Knowing what they are up against, this team is remaining focused on their initial task.

"When you're a go-or-go-homer, you don't look too far into the future," Smith explained. "The first priority is to get the Furniture Row Chevy Impala SS into Sunday's race. Though the pressure to qualify is nerve wracking, it sure beats being a couch potato and watching the race on television."

No driver or team wants to sit at home watching their competitors on television, and - as Smith made clear - this team is no different. A hungry driver with a proven crew behind him, the guys at Furniture Row Racing are planning on showing up this weekend with only one thought - no, not hitting the casinos or catching a show here or there - their show, their big gamble is simply making the race.