Former Sprint Cup champion Kurt Busch announced Monday evening that he has signed a one-year deal with Furniture Row Racing. Busch will pilot the team's No. 78 Chevrolets in 2013, replacing Regan Smith. Smith has driven for FRR since 2009, recording the team's only win in the 2011 Southern 500 at Darlington.

The hiring of the 2004 champ at the popular Smith's expense is not particularly well-received among race fans. Smith, who confirmed he was likely out of the 78 car over the weekend at New Hampshire, had gone as far as to uproot from North Carolina to be closer to the race team's Denver headquarters. Busch, meanwhile, is one of the sport's more unpopular competitors among fans.

Through 28 races, Smith has a pair of ninth-place finishes as his best result. He had five top-10s in 2011, including the Darlington victory. Busch, meanwhile, has made 27 starts - he was suspended for the June event in Pocono - and has a pair of top-10s, including a third at Sonoma.