Clint Bowyer
No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
Event/Date: Dodge Charger 500– May 13, 2006
Venue: Darlington Raceway – Darlington, S.C.
This Week’s Race Car at Darlington Raceway … Clint Bowyer will pilot chassis No. 136 from the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) stable. This is the same car Bowyer drove to a 22nd-place finish last month at Martinsville. Dave Blaney drove the same car last May in the NEXTEL Open, last June at Pocono and in November at Phoenix. Prior to 2006, with the exception of the chassis’ center section, the car was rebuilt from the ground up.
Back in Black … After sporting a Prilosec OTC paint scheme last week at Richmond, Bowyer’s No. 07 Chevy will return to its traditional black and white Jack Daniel’s paint scheme this weekend at Darlington.
Statistically Speaking … In 10 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series starts this season, Bowyer has earned one top-five, three top-10 and six top-20 finishes. The Emporia, Kan., driver has an 18.7 finishing average while earning just shy of $1.3 million in prize money.
Rookie Report … Despite his strong showing last week at Richmond, Bowyer fell to second in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings. He trails Denny Hamlin, who finished second at RIR, by five points heading into the notorious “Lady in Black.” The Dodge Charger 500 will mark just the second time this season that Bowyer has not led the rookie battle.
RCR at Darlington … Richard Childress is tied for third with Holman-Moody and the Wood Brothers for car owner victories at Darlington with eight wins – all of them coming with Dale Earnhardt. Additionally, RCR boasts 21 top-five and 29 top-10 finishes at the egg-shaped, South Carolina oval with three different drivers including Earnhardt, Kevin Harvick and Robby Gordon.
Thanks Mom … In keeping with Darlington’s Mother’s Day weekend tradition, Bowyer’s mother, Jana Bowyer, will be on hand to walk with her son across the driver’s introduction stage and to offer the most famous words in motorsports, but with a Darlington twist – “Sons and gentlemen, start your engines.”
Back in the Saddle … After missing last week’s activities at Richmond following an emergency surgery to remove a ruptured appendix, Bowyer’s father Chris Bowyer, will be back at the track this weekend in Darlington.
A little R&R for the Rookie … Immediately following the Dodge Charger 500, Bowyer will head directly to the Bahamas where he will vacation for the entire week leading up to the NEXTEL All Star Challenge at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
Laps, Laps and More Laps … Bowyer and the No. 2 ACDelco NASCAR Busch Series (NBS) team tested at Lowe’s Motor Speedway May 8-9 in preparation for the May 29 CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 NBS race at the Concord, N.C. track.
Meet the Driver … Bowyer will sign autographs at the Jack Daniel’s souvenir trailer Saturday, May 13 from 1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Tickets will be available at the trailer the morning of the race on a first-come-first-serve basis and are limited in supply due to time constraints.
Are you Experienced … Following his stop at the souvenir trailer, Bowyer will appear at the Jack Daniel’s Experience for a brief question and answer session from
2 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Double Bubble … Bowyer will once again return to the seat of RCR’s No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet on Friday, May 12, in the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 NBS race. The race will be televised live on FX beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and also broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and XM Satellite Radio. Bowyer is currently second in the NBS championship battle, 313 points behind leader and teammate Kevin Harvick.
Catch the Action … The Dodge Charger 500 from Darlington Raceway will be telecast live on FOX, Saturday, May 13, beginning at 6:30 p.m. EDT and broadcast live on MRN and XM Satellite Radio. Qualifying for the 11th points-paying race on 2006 NEXTEL Cup calendar will be televised live on SPEED Friday, May 12 at 3:30 p.m. EDT and broadcast on MRN and XM Satellite Radio.
CLINT BOWYER QUOTES:
Why is Darlington so different from other racetracks?
“It’s night and day different from other race tracks. For one, the fastest way around is around the outside of the track – right up against the wall. The way the track is laid out – the banking makes the track really narrow and the surface is worn out but that’s a good thing. Darlington tests your skills each and every lap. Each corner, each lap tests your skills. The car is sliding around sideways and the tires only last about three laps. It’s a hard race track to conquer; that’s for sure.”
Why does Darlington have such a distinct reputation?
“The track is so slick. The corners aren’t exactly symmetrical. There are two or three different points in each corner that you have to hit to be fast and you’re right up against the wall in the corners instead of being down on the bottom like we are everywhere else.”
If they built Darlington today, you guys would hate it. But, given the sense of history at Darlington, does that make it both fun and challenging at the same time?
“By far, it’s one of the tracks that I enjoy the least but you can’t help getting caught up in the history of it all. You come through what used to be the backstretch tunnel and look around and it’s almost overwhelming. So many guys who helped build our sport have won at Darlington. We don’t want to go to Darlington just to race, we want to be successful. A win at Darlington looks pretty good on your resume.”
How big of a Darlington stripe did you have on your Busch car last year?
“A large one! Pretty much the whole right side of the car was one big Darlington stripe. I had a heck of a battle going with Reed Sorenson. One lap I’d hit the wall and the next lap he’d hit the wall. I hit the wall so hard I had to pull my helmet back straight so I could see.”
Even though you’ve never raced at Darlington during the day, does racing at night present its own set of challenges?
“Probably not quite as, just because the track isn’t quite as slick as it is during the daytime. You still fight the same problems. If you’re loose during the day you’re looser at night and if you’re tight during the day you’re tighter after the sun goes down. Night racing just brings a bit more energy and more excitement.”
