Running only a limited schedule in 2009, defending Raybestos Rookie of the Year Regan Smith is anxious to get back to the track this weekend in Texas. This will mark Furniture Row Racing’s third Sprint Cup Series attempt of the year and the team is optimistic moving forward.

This weekend the team is looking to extend an impressive streak currently held their young driver. In 43 career Cup Series starts, Smith has yet to record a DNF.

“Honestly, I don't think about it (the streak) at all," Smith admitted. "I go out there the same way every week and focus on finishing races, completing laps and getting the  most I can out of the race car without tearing it up. I can't get better if you're constantly fixing racecars."

Making their way into the season-opening Daytona 500, Smith and the Jay Guy-led crew were able to come home with a 21^st-place finish. Two weeks later in Las Vegas, the No. 78 team improved on their previous finish and wound up 19^th.

"Since Las Vegas we've had two successful test sessions at Pikes Peak International Raceway (in Fountain, Colo.) and that was very encouraging," Smith went on to say. "We want to keep on improving. We all felt we were better than the finishes we had in Daytona and Las Vegas."

The 25-year-old driver has not fared well at the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway in the past. In two starts, Smith has a best finish of 34^th. However, the team’s promising run at Las Vegas (another mile-and-a-half track) has Smith and the rest of the team optimistic they can change that stat.

"I have not made it a secret that I've struggled on the mile-in-a-half tracks in the past," Smith pointed out. "That's why the finish in Vegas was such a morale boost."

While he has agreed to run a partial schedule, Smith does not enjoy the time away from the track. A born racer, Smith is eager to jump back behind the wheel of the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet.

"Even though I hate to watch races, I make the best of it," Smith explained. "I watch closely in an attempt to constantly learn as much as I can. But it's still pretty awful to watch. And when it's my next race to drive, I worry about qualifying since we're a part-time team and not in the top 35 in points. Once a 10-day forecast comes out for where the race will be held, I check it out immediately -- it's become an obsession. The good news with regards to weather in Texas is that it looks like we'll be okay for Cup qualifying on Friday."

Back in action for the next few weeks, Furniture Row Racing will head to Phoenix after this weekend’s event in Texas, and then the team returns to the site of Smith’s near victory – Talladega Superspeedway.