Xfinity Series driver Regan Smith will remain the interim choice for the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the team confirmed Monday.
The Kobalt 400 will mark Smith’s third consecutive Sprint Cup race in the ride after finishing 16th in the Daytona 500 and 17th in Sunday’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Kurt Busch, who drove the No. 41 last season and for the bulk of Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway last month, has been on an indefinite suspension from NASCAR since Feb. 20.
Earlier today, NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications vice president David Higdon confirmed to NASCAR Talk that Busch has signed NASCAR’s terms and conditions for future consideration of reinstatement.
Smith, who is running the No. 7 full time in Xfinity for JR Motorsports, has five career Cup starts at Las Vegas with a best of 15th in his most recent start in 2012.
In a team release, SHR said an interim driver for next weekend at Phoenix International Raceway and beyond hadn’t been determined.