Cato native Regan Smith replaced by Kurt Busch in No. 78 car

DENVER (AP) - Furniture Row Racing has hired Kurt Busch to drive for the Colorado-based team in 2013. Busch will replace Cato native Regan Smith in the No. 78 Chevrolet.

Busch was the 2004 NASCAR champion, but he split with Penske Racing at the end of last season because of his many off-track incidents. He spent this season driving for Phoenix Racing in the Sprint Cup series and his brother's Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Nationwide Series, where he won twice.

The 34-year-old Busch has said his goal this season was to prove he deserved a chance with another top-tier team. With so few seats available, Furniture Row became the best option.