Furniture Row Racing announced earlier this week that it will compete in the full NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule next year. The team credits the decision to the positive effect the sponsorship has had on the company’s marketing and advertising programs.

"Ever since Furniture Row Racing started its NASCAR venture four years ago, the race team has played a significant role in our national marketing, advertising and brand awareness programs," Tom Faulkner, president of Furniture Row Companies, said. "Due to the sudden economic downturn last fall it was decided to run a partial schedule in 2009. Even with the part-time schedule, the race team has continued to provide positive results for the company and we feel that it is important to our company’s momentum to have a presence at all of the NASCAR Sprint Cup events in 2010."

The announcement was very good news for Regan Smith who has already signed a contract to drive the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet next year. Smith was the Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year in ’08.

“I am thrilled to continue my association with Furniture Row Racing,” Smith said. “We’ve made great headway as a part-time team this season and we all look forward to reaching a new level in 2010. Furniture Row Racing is committed to providing the necessary resources to be competitive on a weekly basis.”

Heading into Thunder Valley this weekend for the Sharpie 500, Smith is eager to continue his streak of solid performances. He has never had a DNF and has managed to qualify for all 11 events he was scheduled to run so far this year.

"I was so happy to hear that Bristol was added to our schedule a few weeks ago," Smith said. "It's a great place to race and I feel that our Furniture Row Chevy can produce a strong finish there. I have had some decent runs at Bristol in the past and that makes me even more excited."

Smith made his Sprint Cup Series debut at Bristol Motor Speedway in ’07 and in his last race there in ’08 he managed a 14th place finish after running in the top-5 most of the night.

Furniture Row Racing was only scheduled to run 12 events this season, four more have already been added to the schedule including this weekend’s race at BMS. With the announcement that the team will be running full-time next year, the team’s General Manager Joe Garone said there is a good possibility that more races will be added to the schedule this season.

 MORE NASCAR NEWS