Bowyer signs extension with Stewart-haas Racing team

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Clint Bowyer reached an agreement with Stewart-haas Racing to return to the No. 14 Ford next season.

Bowyer has been with SHR for three of his 15 seasons in the Cup Series. His extension came as the Kansas native headed to his home track on the verge of elimination from the playoffs.

Bowyer is 11th in the 12-driver playoff field going into Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway. The bottom four drivers in the standings will be eliminated after Kansas.

Bowyer was hired to replace team co-owner Tony Stewart following Stewart’s retirement after the 2016 season. He made his 500th career start last weekend, has twice qualified for the playoffs driving for SHR but likely needs to win at Kansas to keep his championship chances rolling.

▶ Two NASCAR teams on their way to Kansas Speedway were involved in separate traffic incidents that damaged race cars.

JTG Daugherty Racing owner

Tad Geschickter said Thursday the team transporter for Ryan Preece’s

No. 47 Cup Series entry caught fire while traveling to Kansas. He said both drivers are fine and the team is “assessing the damage of our trailer and race cars.”

Roughly 12 hours before the JTG announcement, Kaulig Racing’s truck went off the right side of the road, through a guardrail and down an embankment, then overturned and came to a stop in a wooded area. Both truck drivers were transported to a hospital, and the team said Thursday both drivers had been released.