It was a weird feeling as driver introductions were announced to the crowd at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, for the first time in 462 races Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s name was not going to be announced over the PA system.
The biggest story hovering over the Charlotte Motor Speedway Saturday was the absence of NASCAR's most popular driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. Instead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. behind the wheel of his #88 Hendrick Motorsports it was the 29-year-old Regan Smith in the driver's seat of the #88.
Smith woke up on Thursday preparing to drive the #51 Phoenix Racing Chevy for James Finch. He was instead granted a golden opportunity to shine in the spotlight as he was picked to fill in for the sidelined Earnhardt.
This isn't the first-time Regan Smith had been in the bright lights of the media spotlight. Just last season, he outran Carl Edwards to the checkered flag to win the Southern 500 at the Darlington Raceway while driving for Furniture Row Racing.
Furniture Row Racing's only win to this day.
Smith started from the 26th starting position Saturday evening and quickly came storming to the front of the pack -- cracking the top-ten by lap 40 -- and while doing so passed his former Furniture Row Racing ride that is now driven by Kurt Busch.
However, his great night went up in a puff of smoke on lap 60 as his #88 smoked its way into the garage, and his night was abruptly over.
Smith had to accept a 38th place finish.
"Well, I felt a really fast race car", a disappointed Regan Smith said in the garage area. Smith went on to say he had no warning sign before the engine went south, and he appreciated all of the support he's been granted this weekend.
Regan Smith will have at least one more shot next weekend in Kansas to show his ability with a powerhouse team.
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