The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Bowyer chooses long role in NASCAR over proper farewell

- ByJennaFry­er

CHARLOTTE, N. C. — If Clint Bowyer could have scripted his send- off, it most certainly would have been a proper blowout for NASCAR’s best partyer.

Bowyer would have had fans and friends and celebrated everyweek all along the NASCAR circuit if he’d had hisway. He certainlyw­ould not have chosen this year as his last, this season of no spectators in the stands, no raucous revelers roaming the infield.

Bowyer is one of many caught in the circumstan­ces of the pandemic and pushed to make career- deciding decisions. Hang around for another season driving race cars, or make a jump to the television booth. He didn’t want 2020 to be his last season, but the offer to join Fox Sports made for an easy split for Bowyer and Stewart- Haas Racing.

“I think you always, everybody in life, wants to just get by with one more year. One more year, one more lap,” Bowyer said. “It’s 2020, right? Is it the perfect time to do all of this? I don’t think 2020 is the perfect time for anything.

“This opportunit­y came up. It was anopportun­ity of a lifetime, anopportun­ity to stay a part of this sport for many years to come.”

Bowyer could have pushed for a return to the No. 14 Ford next season if enough sponsors agreed to back another year. But SHR really needed Bowyer to free his seat so the team could give Chase Briscoe a muchearned promotion from the Xfinity Series. The offer from Fox Sports, whereBowye­rhad been moonlighti­ng as a guest analyst, ended any other scenarios. Taking the TV deal bought

Bowyer a second career.

“Were we working on what’s next as far as being in a race car? Absolutely,” Bowyer said. “Once that ( Fox) opportunit­y came to the table, it was pretty clear that that’s what I needed to do.”

After 15 full seasons at NASCAR’s top level, Bowyer will get out of the car in four weeks. Bowyer will leave the sport a winner for Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota, a former Xfinity Series champion — a kid from Kansas who made it to the big leagues.

He announced his plans last week with enough time to prepare for a send- off Sunday at Kansas Speedway. He grew up in Emporia, just over an hour away from the speedway, and he was a fan drinking beer atop an infield motor home when Jeff Gordon won the first Cup race at Kansas in 2001.

Bowyer spent two months working with Gordon during the pandemic as an analyst- slash- participan­t in the iRacing broadcast coverage. Next year they will be full- time teammates in the television booth.

Fox Sports used just Joy and Gordon in a two- person booth this year following DarrellWal­trip’s retirement. The list of probable talent was deep and ranged from retiring crew chief Chad Knaus to current title contender Kevin Harvick, who has proved to be an outstandin­g guest analyst.

The pandemic gave Bowyerweek­ly studio time, and his personalit­ywas full- throttle during the virtual racing telecasts. He’s good- natured and gregarious, a version ofWaltrip with the huckster, fan- appreciate­d style.

SUNDAY’SRACE

HollywoodC­asino400at­Kansas City, Kansas, 2: 30p. m., NBC

 ?? TERRY RENNA/ AP 2019 ?? Clint Bowyer, popular among his peers and beloved by fans, would have preferred a proper send- offin his final year as aNASCAR driver. Instead, he’ll settle for a farewell party Sunday at Kansas Speedway.
TERRY RENNA/ AP 2019 Clint Bowyer, popular among his peers and beloved by fans, would have preferred a proper send- offin his final year as aNASCAR driver. Instead, he’ll settle for a farewell party Sunday at Kansas Speedway.

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