East vs. West at Iowa Speedway
Newton, IA - May 16, 2008
By: Jason Christley
NASCAR
PHOTO: Ricky Carmichael (left) of the NASCAR Camping World Series East and Jason Bowles of the NASCAR Camping World Series West will be among the field of up-and-coming drivers that will test themselves at Iowa Speedway this weekend.-CREDIT: Meg Bestell-Eide/Iowa Speedway
Jason Bowles grew up dreaming of Formula One racing and the Indianapolis 500. Ricky Carmichael spent the past decade establishing himself as one of the greatest motocross racers of all-time.
Their careers, however, have diverged onto similar paths as they seek success moving up the NASCAR ranks. Their decisions have led them to Iowa, where they will be among a top-notch field of short-track drivers that converge on the Hawkeye State this weekend for the US Cellular 200.
The race is the only one that features NASCAR’s top developmental series – the NASCAR Camping World Series East and the NASCAR Camping World Series West – in the same race with points on the line.
“I’ve been in this position before in motocross,” Carmichael said, “and it seems like when it’s the East versus the West, everybody brings their ‘A’ game. It’s going to make for a great race.
“The West side doesn’t want the East to have better drivers. And the same for us. We want to show how good we are. At the end of the day, it will be great racing. That’s what’s so great about this sport. There’s so much parity and so much competition. That’s why NASCAR is one of the greatest sports in the world – because the competition is amazing, and with the East versus the West, it’s just going to make it that much more.”
Nearly 60 cars are expected to attempt to qualify for the 44 starting spots in Sunday’s race. Qualifying is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. CT and the race is slated to take the green flag at 4:15 p.m. CT
Carmichael, the 28-year-old Florida native, is in his first year running in the NASCAR Camping World Series East. Teaming with second-year driver Jamie Hayes at Ken Schrader Racing, Carmichael was fifth in his debut at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in South Carolina last month.
He’s tested at Iowa, but this weekend will be his first chance to take the track under race conditions. Carmichael concluded the motocross racing chapter of his life in 2007, and as evidenced by the long lines for his autograph at appearances in Des Moines Wednesday, his fan appeal hasn’t waned with the switch to fenders and seat belts.
“That fans have been amazing,” Carmichael said. “Every race I was going to last year, finishing up my motocross career, they were telling me, ‘we’re going to follow you, we hope you do good, we love that sport.’ It’s actually been really, really good. I’m just pumped to see the enthusiasm.”
The 25-year-old Bowles has made a successful transition from his open-wheel upbringing to stock cars. He is happy to be getting another shot at the 7/8-mile Rusty Wallace-designed oval. Last year’s day was ruined early by a car fire. Bowles rebounded from the disappointment to post a pair of wins and collect the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR Camping World Series West.
“The biggest thing to get used to at Iowa is the speed,” Bowles said. “We’ve been to Phoenix (a one-mile track), but it doesn’t give you quite the same sensation with the banking as this place does.”
Bowles started out his 2008 season with the Coors Pole Award in the opener at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. He currently sits eight in points but is just 82 out of first.
“This year, it’s one of the deepest in both the East and the West than there’s been in recent years,” Bowles said. “I know the first three races we’ve been to, there’s probably been 10 to 12 guys that you’re watching on race day because any of them is capable of winning. And I’m sure it’s the same in the East right now. That makes it really tough when you have that many good guys.”
The competition Sunday will also include NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne. Last year, Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick raced the day after winning the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Challenge. He ended up second to then 16-year-old Joey Logano.
“I think it’s great,” Carmichael said of Kahne’s participation. “It just shows the level of this series. I know we’re looking forward to it. It’s really great to test yourself to see how close we are or how far off we are to one of the best drivers in the world.”
