Race 2 Win: Busch Series Race Notes

NASCAR Busch Series

Ford 300 - Clint Bowyer Notes

Clint Bowyer
No. 2 BB&T Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet

Event/Date: Ford 300 – November 17, 2007
Venue: Homestead-Miami Speedway – Homestead, Fla.

NOTES:

This Week’s BB&T Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway … Clint Bowyer will pilot Chassis No. 068 from the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) NASCAR Busch Series (NBS) stable. This is the same car Bowyer drove to a fourth-place finish two races ago at Texas Motor Speedway. The five-time Busch Series winner also drove this car to a third-place finish in May at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and to a fourth-place finish in July at Chicagoland Speedway. Built new for 2007, this is the same BB&T Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Bowyer raced in March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where he started fifth and finished 41st after being collected in an incident on lap 12.

Pretty Sporty Stuff … In 21 NBS starts this season, Bowyer has amassed two wins, 13 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes. Despite sitting out 13 of the division’s 34 races to date, the five-time Busch Series winner has led 336 laps and climbed one spot, from 13th to 12th in driver points, following his third-place finish last weekend at Phoenix International Raceway.

Make it 11 … When Jeff Burton fires his No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet for Saturday’s Ford 300, the South Boston, Va., driver will clinch the 2007 NBS owners’ title for team owner Richard Childress. Burton only needs two points to secure RCR’s 11th title in NASCAR’s top-three series. The only other time a split NASCAR Busch Series title happened was 2003, when Hendrick Motorsports’ Brian Vickers won the drivers’ title and RCR’s driving duo of Kevin Harvick and Johnny Sauter won the owners’ title. RCR has earned more than 175 victories and 10 NASCAR championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Cup Series, Busch Series and Truck Series.

Unfinished Business … Next season, Bowyer will compete full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and pursue the division’s 2008 title. BB&T will serve as the primary sponsor for 25 races and serve as a major associate sponsor for the remaining 10 on the 35-race tour. In 108 career starts in NASCAR’s AAA series, Bowyer has notched five wins, six poles, 41 top-five and 64 top-10 finishes. Bowyer finished second in points to Martin Truex Jr., in 2005 and finished third last season when Harvick collected his second championship for RCR.

RCR Busch Cars at Homestead … In 14 Busch Series starts at Homestead, RCR has posted one win (Harvick, 2004), two poles (Jeff Green, 2002 and Harvick, 2006), three top-five and seven top-10 finishes. RCR cars have also led 306 laps at the mile-and-a-half, variably-banked oval.

RCR Busch Brigade … In 34 NBS races this season, RCR has claimed 12 victories with the most recent coming two races ago at Texas Motor Speedway with Harvick. “Happy” Harvick carries the torch for RCR with six wins this year, Burton has four and Bowyer has two. Additionally, RCR’s three Busch teams (No. 2, No. 21 and No. 29) have a total of 41 top-five, 60 top-10 finishes and have led 1,383 laps. RCR’s 12 NBS victories top the division’s win list this season.

He’s Kind of a Big Deal … Bowyer’s teammate, Burton, has been named the 2007 Person of the Year by NASCAR Illustrated for his charitable efforts both on and off the track. Representatives from NASCAR Illustrated will present the veteran driver with this prestigious award on the pre-race stage prior to Sunday’s Ford 400 NASCAR Cup Series race. Additionally, Old Spice teamed up with NASCAR Illustrated, and as part of the award and presentation, will donate $5,000 to Duke Children’s Hospital in Burton’s name.

That’s a Wrap … Following his duties in the BB&T Chevrolet, Bowyer will turn his attention to the Jack Daniel’s Chevy Impala SS for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series season finale. The Ford 400 from Homestead-Miami Speedway will take the green flag Sunday, November 18 at 3:45 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). The race will be televised live on ABC beginning at 3 p.m. EST and broadcast worldwide on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius Satellite Radio. Qualifying for the 10th and final round of NASCAR’s 10-race playoffs will be televised live on ESPN2 Friday, November 16 at 3 p.m. EST. MRN and Sirius Satellite Radio will provide qualifying updates live. Bowyer is third in points in NASCAR’s senior circuit and will clinch that position provided he finishes 37th or better on Sunday.

Up to Speed … Live coverage of the Ford 300 will take the green flag Saturday, November 17 at 4 p.m. EST. The race will be televised live on ESPN2 and broadcast worldwide on MRN and Sirius Satellite Radio. Qualifying will be televised live on SPEED the same day at noon EST. MRN and Sirius Satellite Radio will provide qualifying updates live.

CLINT BOWYER QUOTES
You’ve been pretty successful with the BB&T Chevrolet every time you unload it. You decided to make a run at the championship next season. Did you enjoy running a limited schedule in the Busch Series this year?
“We’ve run very well with the BB&T Chevrolet. I think Homestead is a track where we should contend for a win. I’m looking forward to going down there and unloading the car. For me, there are a couple of things that I get really excited about and most people would think it’s the start of the race but that’s not it. I’m probably as calm as I am all weekend at the start of a race because I know how long it’s going to be. Now, I do get pretty excited about a green, white, checkered finish but I’m more excited to get there, unload and see how we stack up. In the Busch Series, you don’t have enough time to make big changes. When you unload, you know what you’ve got and it’s a good feeling when you’re good right off the truck.”