Regan Smith and Jess McMillan (Photo Credit: Furniture Row Racing)
NASCAR star Regan Smith took his no.78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet Impala on an adventure 9,000 feet above sea level in the snowy Colorado Mountains this week for an upcoming ski movie.
The Denver, Colorado based team is the only operation not located in the historic NASCAR heartland of Charlotte, North Carolina, making them ideally suited for the experience. Nevertheless, the snowy mountainous conditions presented Smith, 28, who broke his duck last year by winning the Southern 500 at Darlington, with a challenge altogether different, but just as difficult as 200mph pack racing at Daytona, where he spent last week testing the new-for-2012 restrictor plate regulations.
“The conditions were tricky and the car was a handful to drive at times, but it was a blast,” said Smith. “However, I did have my moments and let’s just say that the car didn’t leave Telluride dent free!”
Alongside Smith in the Furniture Row car, which was fitted with specially studded snow tyres for additional grip, was national and world tour freeskiing champion Jess McMillan, who thoroughly enjoyed her experience
“There is nothing like riding in a race car,” stated McMillan. “When Regan started his engine, my heart rate skyrocketed. I had a blast working with Regan and the Furniture Row team. It was an experience I will never forget. Car 78 looked so cool with a ski rack on its roof driving through snow-covered mountain passes. I can’t wait to go to my first race.”
