Christian Potts
Even though he still has plenty of work to do to earn his spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, Clint Bowyer has history on his side.
Bowyer picked up the 12th and final spot in last year’s Chase, then got on a roll, winning the Chase’s opening race at New Hampshire and recording a runner-up finish at Kansas in the third race. He wound up coming home third in the season standings.
So while he’s had an up-and-down 2008 campaign, Bowyer has a lot of confidence.
“I know what it’s like, and to be honest with you, in a strange way, as bad as our summer has been, I think we can pick our program up and get back after them, I really do,” Bowyer said in a Tuesday teleconference.
Last year showed that. It also showed that the revamped playoff points system could allow a driver to move up in a hurry. The win in New Hampshire gave Bowyer an eight-spot bump in the standings just one week in.
While his success caught many off guard, Bowyer felt his chances of doing things were good.
“It didn’t surprise me how we did in the Chase last year, because I knew going into that thing that if we could just make it, those tracks we are going to run good at, and it’s the same way this year,” he said. “I’m excited and hope we can make it this week if we can and pull out all the stops and go for broke again.”
First he has to hold off two drivers within 48 points in the standings, David Ragan and Kasey Kahne. He also has to negotiate a test at Richmond International Raceway, a tricky three-quarter-mile oval that can produce exciting racing and a few crashes along the way.
But Bowyer’s recent history is good, as he made it to Victory Lane this spring at Richmond for his second career win.
A similar effort this weekend would clinch a Chase spot for sure, as would a second- or third-place effort should he lead the most laps. And if Ragan and Kahne struggle, Bowyer gets a lot more leeway.
Bowyer’s Richard Childress Racing teammates are in good shape for the Chase. Jeff Burton is one of five drivers who already has clinched a spot and Kevin Harvick only has to start Saturday’s race and he is in.
But Bowyer said that doesn’t guarantee they will give him a ton of help in his bid to join them in the top 12.
“You know, what do you expect your teammate to do?” he asked. “They have to go out and win the race just like you do. We won that race in the spring and we've got to go out there and do it again, and if we do that, the rest will take care of itself.”
Changes at Penske
It’s been a rough ride for Roger Penske’s crew since Ryan Newman captured the victory at the Daytona 500 to start the season.
None of Penske’s three cars will make the Chase for the Sprint Cup, and Newman won’t even be with Penske after this year, leaving to drive a car on Tony Stewart’s new team.
Penske announced Wednesday that David Stremme will take over in the No. 12 car for Newman next year. Stremme had been with Chip Ganassi Racing in the No. 40 before being replaced by Dario Franchitti this year. Ganassi since has parked the No. 40 car entirely, and Franchitti announced this week that he’s returning to the open wheel Indy Car ranks next season.
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