Regan Smith Back In The No. 43 In Charlotte

Regan Smith

Regan Smith will continue his relief duties for driver Aric Almirola in this weekend's Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway while Almirola continues to recover from injuries suffered nearly two weeks ago at Kansas.

Smith filled in for Almirola in last Saturday's Monster Energy Open, trying to earn the Richard Petty Motorsports team a shot in the Monster Energy NASCAR All Star Race. Smith finished fourth overall in the no. 43 Smithfield Foods Ford Fusion.

Almirola is expected to miss 8-12 weeks with a fractured vertebra in his back. The team has not yet announced who will driver the car beyond this weekend's events.