Race 2 Win: O'Reilly 300 - Clint Bowyer Notes

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O'Reilly 300 - Clint Bowyer Notes

CLINT BOWYER
Bowyer out for Redemption in the Lone Star State

Huntersville, N.C. (April 12, 2005) – Last year Texas Motor Speedway played host to Clint Bowyer’s first ever NASCAR Busch Series start, but it unfortunately left the Emporia, Kan., native with a bad taste in his mouth. It was bitter sweet for the 25-year old as he qualified sixth for his first ever NASCAR Busch Series start, but wound up 36th due to a wreck that ended his debut early. With that said, it only makes sense that he will be out for some redemption when his No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet hits Texas Motor Speedway for the running of the O’Reilly 300.

“I was so excited to make my Busch Series debut last year and then to have my day cut short made it really bitter sweet,” said Bowyer. “The car was way too loose, and I was just trying to hang on as long as I could for a caution to come out so we could fix it. As I went into the corner I wasn’t under any pressure, but all of a sudden, the car just came around on me. I ended up backing it into the wall before a caution came out. My guys worked hard to get the car fixed and I was able to get back out there to make a few more laps, but after awhile we parked it and called it a day.”

Bowyer, who remains third in points after seven races thanks to two top-five and four top-10 finishes, is more confident than ever heading back to the Lone Star State. This time he brings with him a new team and a full-time ride, and looks to continue to close-in on the points championship.

“I think we will be pretty good this weekend,” added Bowyer. “We have a brand new racecar and it is supposed to be the latest and greatest, so I am really looking forward to it. I think we keep getting better and better every week, but we obviously have some room to improve. It sure has been exciting so far.”

A top-five finish this weekend is just what the Real Car Guys need to stay atop the standings and continue to close in on the hot hands of series leader Carl Edwards. Here is to some much needed redemption.

Points of Interest…

Runnin’ It…The Real Car Guys will take chassis No. 039 to the 1.5-mile oval this weekend. This chassis is brand new and hasn’t seen any on track time.

Track Stat…Bowyer qualified sixth in his only start at Texas, but finished 36th due to an early wreck. He only completed 93 of 200 laps in his Busch Series debut last year in the No. 21 Reese’s Chevrolet.

NBS Points… After seven races in the 2005 season, Bowyer sits third in points, 151 markers out of first, with two top-five and four top-10 finishes.

Media Opp…Bowyer will be available outside the No. 2 ACDelco hauler for 30 minutes following practice on Thursday to field any questions for the media. This exercise will be in effect for the remainder of the year. A reminder will be in each advance moving forward updating when and where.

Start time…Saturday’s O’Reilly 300 is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. EDT. TV coverage of the 200-lap event on FOX begins at 2:00 p.m., with live radio coverage also beginning at 2:00 p.m. EDT on your local MRN Radio 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 Texas Motor Speedway…

How do you like the typical cookie-cutter mile-and-a-half tracks?
“I don’t have a problem with them at all. I would have to say that Atlanta is the most intimidating one of them all because of the speed it carries. We should have had a great finish there this year, but lost the tires bad with 15-laps to go. I love Charlotte because it is considered our hometown track and it is so close to home. Even though a track may be a mile-and-a-half just like the rest of them, they all have their own characteristics that make one just a little bit different than the other.”

What are your thoughts on the season to date?
“I think everything is right on schedule as to where we thought we would be. We have had a couple bad weekends, but for the most part everything has been going pretty smoothly. Our last race at Bristol was my first time being there and I think through all the adversity we went through a 13th place finish was probably pretty lucky to walk away with. We are sitting third in points only 151 points out and we all know that we are still within a one race swing of picking up another position. It is only a matter of time before the luck changes of the two guys ahead of me.”

What’s it been like visiting tracks for the first time or ones that you don’t feel too comfortable with?
So far this year, I have gone to a couple tracks for the first time or second and overcome the adversity that comes along with the unknown. I am feeling really confident as a driver right now and look forward to every track whether it is for the first time or even if I haven’t had good success there in the past. I am looking forward to some of these tracks ahead and getting further into this season.”

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