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Bowyer: championship caliber

Most anyone who watched Clint Bowyer race before he got the call from Richard Childress knew it was only a matter of time he would win a NASCAR Nextel Cup race.  Now that his time has come, the wins will multiply.   That's because the "Kid" from Emporia is all about winning, always has been.    Once he tastes victory, he's determined to grab as much as he can get.  Feed the dog a bone, he's not going to let go.

That best describes Clint Bowyer from the time he started racing.   He's not changed.  He's just playing on a bigger stage now.  You see, he's always believed he could beat the best there is, and on Sunday he proved it in dominating fashion.

Don't think he can win a championship?  Think again.  As long as he believes he can do it, that's all that matters.   Even if he doesn't reach his goal this year, it's only a matter of time.

When I first saw him race nearly a decade ago at Thunderhill Speedway, the word I have used the most to describe Clint Bowyer is CONFIDENCE.

Winners and champions have that quality.  Clint Bowyer is not just a winner, he's a champion.   It is only a matter of time.

The Clint Bowyer story is what movies are made of.  Coming through the ranks the hard way with a lot of help from a lot of people, sprinkled with a dose of great timing and luck.    He didn't get there by himself.  First and foremost his parents Chris and Jana have been there every step of the way, with Chris playing a key role in preparing his championship dirt track cars.  He's gotten tremendous support from the rest of his family as well, including his girl friend Athena.

Bob Morton was a big part of his NASCAR Elite Division run in 2003 as well as championship weekly effort at I-70 Speedway in 2002, including winning in his very first start. Scott Traylor gave Clint his first ride at I-70 in 2001 and placed the No.16 Praxair sponsored modified on the front row of the World Cup.   Later, in 2003, Traylor sank his life savings into an ARCA team, and after one start as a driver, he asked Bowyer to drive it, and Trent Owens from North Carolina to be the crew chief along with car chief J J Sonneveldt.   With leased horsepower from Dan Begley, Sonic and Mid-America Auto sponsorship money Bowyer brought to the table, plus support from Chuck Kreimendahl, the ingredients were there for a winning run at Nashville. After a solid second place effort, it was time to test the Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Rain spoiled the race at Charlotte, or so they thought.  Richard Childress was watching, and he liked what he saw.  The call was made, Clint moved South, and the rest is history.