Will Regan Smith Become A Coveted Driver in Silly Season

Before I begin, I am under the assumption that Regan Smith's contract with Furniture Row Racing ends following the 2012 season. Based on this, why am I even bringing up the fact or suggesting that top tier teams could seek NASCAR's newest winner?

Smith suddenly became NASCAR's fresh young star. There is nothing against Trevor Bayne and his Daytona 500 victory, but Smith won at Darlington, a track that does not involve drafting or pushing. It involves a driver man-handling his car as well as the tough old track. Smith was in sixth place when he made the decision to stay out, so it is not as if he he gambled from 20th position. He was going to finish in the top 10. When a driver wins a race such as the Southern 500, it will attract attention, possibly enhancing ones career.

Red Bull Racing has a definite opening for 2012, possibly two. Kasey Kahne will move on to Hendrick Motorsports, and Brian Vickers is a free agent. They will probably focus on Carl Edwards and Clint Bowyer, perhaps Juan Pablo Montoya. In all likelihood, those trio of winners will remain with their current teams. Smith is rapidly proving that he is a legitimate Sprint Cup competitor. His stunning win at Darlington may be the spark he needs in order for owners to take notice.

I would not be surprised if Red Bull places Smith on their radar if they cannot land one of the bigger names. Red Bull may not be the only team to inquire about Smith. Stewart-Haas Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Penske Racing, Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing, and Michael Waltrip Racing have room to expand.

Stewart-Haas Racing provides crewmen for Smith and Furniture Row Racing, so there is a connection. Smith is involved in some of the same animal rescue work as Ryan Newman. Sponsorship provided, Smith to Stewart-Haas Racing makes sense.

What if Edwards decides to test his skills with another team? Smith could become an option in the Roush Fenway organization. Roush, however, is spending valuable time and money on developing Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Trevor Bayne. Bayne is a Daytona 500 winner, so Smith to Roush could be a long-shot.

Loyalty could prevail, and Smith could remain at at Furniture Row. The team owned by Barney Visser allowed Smith to remain in the sport when it appeared as if his career would hit a complete standstill following the 2008 campaign. The team has vastly improved since it entered the sport in several years ago. Veterans such as Kenny Wallace and Joe Nemechek set the foundation for this team, but Smith has put them on the map.

It will be interesting to see how this victory impacts Smith's future.