Race 2 Win: Aaron's 312 - Clint Bowyer Notes

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Aaron's 312 - Clint Bowyer Notes

CLINT BOWYER
Bowyer Looks to Make a Climb in the Points in Atlanta

Huntersville, N.C. (March 15, 2005) – When NEXTEL Cup stars, better known as “Buschwackers,” decide to pull double duty by competing in the world’s top two motorsports series in one weekend, some NASCAR Busch Series drivers welcome their existence because it only makes them better. Others look forward to when the “Buschwachers” remain in their respected series so there are more points to be had. ACDelco driver Clint Bowyer can see both sides of the coin, but definitely prefers one over the other when it comes to winning a championship.

In Saturday’s running of the Aaron’s 312 at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway, Bowyer not only wants to compete and beat the Cup Stars, but he is also looking forward to the likes of Kevin Harvick to sit out as well, teammate or not. Harvick, who will not race on Saturday, has four consecutive second place finishes, so far this year, allowing him to jump out to a 119-point lead in the 2005 driver point standings.

“Don’t get me wrong, it is an honor to get to drive against Cup stars like Kevin,” says Bowyer. “He has already taught me a lot on and off the track. It does raise the competition, and makes you feel like you have arrived when you out-compete some of NASCAR’s top and most respected drivers.

“And, it is awesome to be driving for an organization like Richard Childress Racing, that has two teams and drivers sitting first and third in the points championship. But I sure would like to be sitting first and have Harvick sit in second or third. Brandon Miller shows great potential to be a good driver and gets to prove that this weekend, but having Harvick sit out puts me in a better position to gain a lot of points. Hopefully, I will be leaving Atlanta sitting second or first in the points instead of where I am now.”

With Harvick out the possibility to move up in the points is definitely there. It’s now up to Bowyer to show he’s got what it takes to get the job done.

Points of Interest…

Runnin’ It… The Real Car Guys will take chassis No. 037 to Atlanta Motor Speedway. A brand new chassis, it was one of the two used in the pre-season West Coast tests that took place at California Speedway and Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway in February.

Track Stat… Bowyer’s first race at Atlanta Motor Speedway took place in 2004 behind the wheel of the No. 21 Reese’s Chevrolet. He started 17th and had worked his way into the top-10 before a late race accident started by Reed Sorenson damaged the RCR Chevrolet and caused him to finish 20th.

Moving on up… Bowyers 2005 average starting/finishing positions have decreased substantially from his averages in 2004. His average starting position in 2004 was 16.3, and after four races in 2005 his average starting position is 8.7. His average finishing position in 2004 was 17.5, and after four races in 2005 his average finishing position is eighth.

Off to a great start… Bowyer is off to a great start this season sitting third in the 2005 driver point standings. He has jumped from 12th to third in four races, with one top-five finish and three top-10 finishes. With teammate, Kevin Harvick sitting out this weekend, Bowyer could leave Atlanta sitting second or first in the points.

Start time…for Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. EST. TV coverage of the 203-lap event on FX begins at 2:30 p.m. with live radio coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. EST on your local PRN affiliate and on XM Satellite Radio – channel 144. Remember times and dates of the race may change so check your local listings.

No. 2 ACDelco driver Clint Bowyer on Atlanta Motor Speedway…

Atlanta is one of the fastest tracks on the circuit. With little experience, is it a track that concerns you?
“For me personally, it is one of those tracks that I am concerned about. It is really fast and a place that I don’t have a lot of experience at. I ran there last year and did finally get the car into the top-10 right at the end, but got a little help from Reed Sorenson that caused an accident, but that stuff is going to happen. The biggest thing is we were loose the entire time and had to fight it.”

With the speed Atlanta carries how important is the aero package?
“It is super-important. That is what we struggled with so much last year. My crew chief Gil Martin has come down with a lot of Cup experience, and this ACDelco team and all my Real Car Guys have figured out our aero package even more. Our bodies I also think are better than they were last year. I think that will help a bunch when we go back. I know our team is fine and more than ready.”

What does that top-10 finish last weekend in Las Vegas say about this ACDelco team?
“It says a lot. We were fastest in practice and qualified fifth, but we lost the handling on the No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet early in the race. We battled loose and tight conditions and struggled to barely crack the top-10 all day. My crew of Real Car Guys gave me great stops and really saved me big. To have a mediocre day turn into a ninth place finish, shows the direction we are going and how serious this ACDelco team is about capturing a championship. It’s the teams that can turn something good out of the not-so-good-days that win championships.”

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