Race 2 Win: Arizona 200 - Clint Bowyer Notes

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Arizona 200 - Clint Bowyer Notes

CLINT BOWYER
Looking to Continue Points Climb at PIR

Huntersville, N.C. (Nov. 8, 2005) – ACDelco diver Clint Bowyer’s best chance to minimize the 84 point margin that separates him and reigning series champion Martin Truex, Jr. may come down to this weekend’ running of the Phoenix 200 presented by “Walk the Line”at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR). As the season comes down to its final two races of the 2005 season, Bowyer feels PIR may be his best opportunity to reel in the No. 8 with the artillery they are taking. The Emporia, Kans. native will be behind the wheel of the same car that just put him in Victory Lane three weekends ago in Memphis, Tenn.

“I think Phoenix is going to be really good,” said Bowyer. “After the things we did to the car at Memphis, I am really excited about going to Phoenix this weekend. Gil (Martin) and my guys had our car turning so well in the corners in Memphis and that is what I am going to need this weekend. We have got to get another win or finish in the top-three and hope we can put some space between ourselves and the No. 8.”

After starting in the back due to a wreck in qualifying, Bowyer went on to lead the most laps, gain the most bonus points, and grab his second win of the year in Memphis, Tenn. That win coupled with a seventh place finish last weekend in Fort Worth, Texas erased a 120 point deficit and brought it down to 84. This Saturday, Bowyer will look to eliminate his recent qualifying woes. Bowyer needs to start up front and hope to put some distance between he and Truex. With only two races remaining he cannot afford anything but that if he wants to keep his hopes of becoming the 2005 NBS champion alive.

“The last couple of weekends I have put us behind the 8-ball wrecking in qualifying,” added Bowyer. “Thanks to Gil and my guys I was able to get a win out of it in Memphis and salvage a top-10 in Texas. But, at this point in the season I can’t afford to let that happen again. I have to have a good qualifying effort and a strong run this weekend.”

Points of Interest…

Runnin’ It…The Real Car Guys will take chassis No. 019 this weekend. They have run this chassis five times this season. This is the same chassis Jeff Burton drove to a second place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway in April after starting second in the No. 21 Reese’s Peanut Butter Lovers Chevrolet. Burton led 93 laps. It was then used at Indianapolis Raceway Park where Bowyer finished second after starting eighth and leading 40 laps. Next up was Bristol Motor Speedway in August, where Bowyer finished fourth after starting 14th and then Dover Int’l Speedway in September, where Bowyer finished second after starting fifth. The last time it was ran was in Memphis, Tenn where Bowyer grabbed his second win of the year after leading 137 laps and starting in the back.

Track Stat…Bowyer made his first start at PIR earlier this year on April 22nd. He started 14th and finished 13th after he was caught up in a wreck on lap 12.

2005 Top-10’s… In Bowyer’s 33 NASCAR Busch Series starts this year, more than half of his finishes (60%) have been in the top-10. He heads to Texas Motor Speedway with 20 top-10 finishes this season.

NBS Points…After 33 races in the 2005 season, Bowyer sits second in the points standings. He’s now 84 markers out of the lead with two wins, 11 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes.

Media Opp…Bowyer will be available outside the No. 2 ACDelco hauler for 30 minutes to field any questions from the media after the first NBS practice on Friday, approximately 1:20 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. (local) This exercise will be in effect for the remainder of the year. A reminder will be in each advance updating time and location.

Start time…Saturday’s Phoenix 200 presented by “Walk the Line” is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. EDT. TV coverage of the 200-lap event on TNT begins at 3:30 p.m., with live radio coverage beginning at 3:30 p.m. EDT on your local MRN Radio affiliate and XM Satellite Radio. Remember times and dates of the race may change so check your local listings.

No. 2 ACDelco driver Clint Bowyer on Phoenix International Raceway…

You were in a wreck at PIR earlier this year. How might this affect you this time around?
“Yeah I got caught up in a wreck early last time with the help of Joe Nemechek. It was unfortunate, but we were able to rebound and come back to finish 13th. This time around I have got to make sure I qualify well. I need to start up front and hope to be in a safe position to avoid any wrecks. If we can do that then we should be fine and just let the rest fall into place.”

Can you catch the No. 8 with two to go?
“I think this weekend will tell the tale. You never want to wish bad luck on anybody, but at this point in the season the only way we may be able to really gain some points and put some distance in between us and the No. 8 is if he gets caught up in a wreck. We have been out running them lately, but just not far enough. They are a great team. ”

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