If Regan Smith appears to have an extra bounce in his step there’s good reason for the renewed excitement that the 23-year-old driver is currently enjoying. For starters, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. announced last week that he will join the organization’s full-time Nextel Cup lineup in 2008.

And to add to the recent good news, Smith will drive DEI’s 01 Chevrolet in this weekend’s Cup race at New Hampshire International Speedway.

The 01 entry in New Hampshire will have primary sponsorship from Principal Financial Group, the nation’s 401(k) leader and premier benefits provider. The U.S. Army, which is the primary sponsor on the 01 Chevy for 34 of the 36 Cup races, will have an associate status at the New England track.

“No doubt, it’s been a good news week,” said Smith, a native of Cato, N.Y. “I’m thrilled about joining DEI and being reunited with the 01 team for this weekend’s race. These are the guys, along with Mark Martin, who have played a big part in launching my Cup career.”

The New Hampshire race will be Smith’s seventh start in the 01 Chevy this season. He also competed in the 01 car at the July 1 New Hampshire race, where he started 13th and finished 32nd due to a mechanical issue.

Sunday’s Sylvania 300 will mark the first time that Smith will return to a track where he’s already competed in a Cup race.

“There’s little comfort knowing that I’ve had experience at the New Hampshire track in a Cup event,” noted Smith. “When you’re a rookie, you always feel like you’re auditioning for a job. The key is to get the job done and produce a respectable result in the Principal Financial Chevy.”

Sunday’s race will also mark the sixth time in his seven Cup races that Smith will compete in the Car of Tomorrow. The one exception was the April Talladega event.

“There was a time early in the season when I would have preferred to drive a traditional stock car, but since we’re going to run the COT at every race next year, I am now happy for all the experience I am getting in the COT,” added Smith.

For the remainder of the 2007 season Smith is scheduled to drive in a number of Craftsman Truck races for Morgan-Dollar Motorsports.

“I love the trucks and look forward to doing more races in the Silverado for Morgan-Dollar,” stated Smith. “The more seat time the better. I’m a racer and I want to drive as often as possible.”