The Five Biggest Upsets In Recent NASCAR History

Regan Smith, 2011 Southern 500

Back in 2011, Furniture Row Racing wasn’t anything like it is now. Before 2012, the team never finished higher than 26th in the points standings. Funded solely by owner Barney Visser’s furniture company, the team took a chance on the unproven Regan Smith by signing him to drive their only car. Smith struggled for a long time with the team, but in 2011, all the hard work paid off.

At the Southern 500, the #78 Chevrolet was not the fastest machine on track. But, through smart strategy calls, the team found themselves leading the race with 5 laps to go. Regan Smith elected to stay out during the final caution, finding himself leading a pack of drivers on fresh tires. Smith drove the race of his life, holding off Carl Edwards to claim Furniture Row Racing’s maiden victory. At NASCAR’s toughest track, the underfunded team proved it could compete with the best organizations in the sport.

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