Regan Smith not returning to JRM in 2016

Regan Smith told the NASCAR on NBC crew after Saturday's Xfinity Series race in Kansas City, Kansas that he will not stay as the driver of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s #7 Chevrolet for the 2016 season. Smith took control of the JR Motorsports #7 car late in 2012, replacing the Sprint Cup-bound Danica Patrick; Smith in turn was moving back down to what was then the Nationwide Series after swapping Cup rides with Kurt Busch. Smith's first win came in the 2012 season finale at Homestead. He has gone on to win five more races, including two within the past two months, at the Mid-Ohio road course and in Dover, Delaware two weeks ago. This means that Earnhardt will not have either of his current full-time drivers next year, as Chase Elliott (#9) is moving full-time to the Sprint Cup Series to replace Jeff Gordon in the #24 car. Earnhardt will continue using himself and other Cup and development drivers as co-drivers for his third Xfinity car, the #88.