Bowyer, team battle back, build some momentum

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Clint Bowyer can take a deep breath.

For now.

His fourth-place finish in Saturday night’s Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway helped cement a spot in the 12-driver championship Chase.

With two races left before the field is set, Bowyer now enjoys a 100-point lead over 13th-place Jamie McMurray. Mark Martin is in 14th, one point behind McMurray.

“It was a well-needed run. It was a good way to bounce back,” Bowyer said after he and crew chief Shane Wilson hugged.

“It was a bummer we didn’t get to experience a good race the last time we were here," Bowyer said. "I love this race track. I love competing here.”

Bowyer said the members of his No. 33 team – one of three from Richard Childress Racing likely to make the Chase – huddled before the race.

"We all talked before the race. This is a team effort and it’s going to take a team effort to get ourselves in the Chase,” he said. “They did their job on pit road; they did their job all weekend long.

“I promised them I would do my job.”

There was one hiccup.

During a round of pit stops under caution on Lap128, Bowyer was penalized for speeding on pit road. But by Lap 250 he was back in the top 10.

“Clint did a good job coming from the back. He showed us what he had right there in that run,” Wilson said.

“It was nice to have a car that was competitive all night. We have a lot of stuff coming together at the right time. Things will take care of themselves if we continue to have days like this.”

Could that be a championship run?

“RCR is an organization that can contend for a championship. We’ve seen my teammate (Kevin Harvick) capitalize and show our potential at RCR all season long,” Bowyer said.

“Jeff (Burton) and I can compete at their level. One of us should bring home a championship. It’s the best shot we’ve had since I’ve been at RCR.”