Race 2 Win: Hershey's Kissables 300

NASCAR Busch Series

Hershey's Kissables 300 - Clint Bowyer Notes

CLINT BOWYER
Bowyer’s Back and Ready for a Championship

Huntersville, N.C. (Feb. 14, 2006) – As the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series season opener kicks off in Daytona Beach, Fla., Clint Bowyer can’t wait to get back in the seat of his No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS and conquer the banks of Daytona International Speedway for Saturday’s running of the Hershey’s Kissables 300. After securing second place in 2005, Bowyer is determined to reach the crown jewel of the NASCAR Busch Series and hoist the championship trophy above his head in Miami, Fla., at the end of the season. “I’m not leaving until I have a Busch Series championship.”

The “blue deuce” is no stranger to the Busch Series championship title while being piloted by a second year veteran and a two-series driver. Bowyer’s Richard Childress Racing teammate Kevin Harvick won the Busch Series championship in only his second year (2001) of competition. Bowyer is also following in Harvick’s footsteps by attacking the NEXTEL Cup Series and pulling double-duty all season in the No. 07 Chevrolet.

The 26 year-old Emporia, Kan., native feels the No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet team has something to prove. “We started last season as the underdogs. Nobody expected us to finish second at the end of the year, but we did it and we surprised everyone,” said a confident Bowyer. “We consistently improved and week after week we got better and better. That’s what I love about our race team. We never give up and continue to be better than we were the week before.

I think the Busch series is tough. You have single-car teams winning races and you never really know who’s going to be the leader at the end of the day,” explained Bowyer. “We have a great team this year and the guys have been working really hard to get our car ready for Daytona. Hopefully all their hard work will pay off and we’ll be in victory lane on Saturday (Feb. 18).”

Points of Interest…

What Ya’ Haulin’…The Real Car Guys will unload chassis No. 031 at Daytona this weekend. They have run this chassis at all six of the superspeedway races in the past two years. Between Bowyer and Ron Hornaday, the chassis has brought home five top-5 starts, two top-5 finishes and four top-10 finishes for the No. 2 ACDelco team.

Track Stat…Bowyer has raced three times at Daytona International Speedway. His first start came in 2004 when he drove an ARCA car for series regular, Bobby Gerhart. He started fifth and finished eighth. His second start was in the Busch Series with Richard Childress Racing and ACDelco on Feb. 19, 2005. After starting sixth, Bowyer ended his day with a 12th place finish. July 1, 2005 marked Bowyer’s third start at Daytona International Speedway. He remained consistent all day long and maintained his starting position of fifth by the end of the race.

Dan, the Man…This season 18 year veteran Dan Deeringhoff will make the calls from atop the pit box as Crew Chief for the Real Car Guys. Deeringhoff has been with RCR for a total of four seasons and is looking for his fifth to be another memorable year. He was the car chief for the Richard Childress Racing No. 21 Chevrolet when they captured the 2003 NASCAR Busch Series Owner’s Championship.

Busch Whackers…ACDelco pilot, Clint Bowyer is one of seven full-time NEXTEL Cup Series drivers that will be competing in the NASCAR Busch Series full-time this season. Other drivers include Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Reed Sorenson and J.J Yeley.

Start Time…Saturday’s Hershey’s Kissables 300 is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. Eastern. TV coverage of the 120-lap event on TNT begins at 1:00 p.m., with live radio coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. Eastern on your local MRN Radio affiliate and 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 Daytona International Speedway…

What information have you gained in past races at DIS that you will carry over to this season?
“Now that I have a year under my belt in the Busch Series, I know where to stick my nose and where not to. Last season I was more timid and cautious on the track and didn’t take risky chances. I am more confident in myself and confidence is the key to success on the racetrack.”

Now that you are pulling double-duty (NBS and NNCS) what advantages do you have over other NBS drivers?
“I will have more seat time and with that I’ll be more familiar with the racetrack. I really enjoy driving the Busch car because it’s easier to draft with the wicker package on the roof and spoiler. They have more downforce and are more stable on the track. I can get in the car and drive it where I want it because it responds easier than the Cup car.”