Bowyer races to first Nationwide win of season
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Clint Bowyer’s first victory of the season gave Richard Childress Racing a much-needed boost.
Bowyer won the Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night, holding off Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards in a green-white-checkered finish.
The defending series champion was the leader when a four-car accident brought out the caution with six laps to go in the Subway Jalapeno 250. That set up a final two-lap overtime sprint, and Bowyer lined up inside of Edwards for the double-file restart.
With Busch pushing him from behind, Bowyer raced to the front. He didn’t have to deal with a challenge from Busch because an accident in the fourth turn brought out a race-ending caution, giving RCR its first win of the year.
Busch finished second, followed by Edwards, Joey Logano and Kasey Kahne.
“It’s been tough this year,” said Bowyer, winning for the first time in six starts in the second-tier series. “It’s been tough on Richard, tough on everybody. Just real proud of everybody at RCR.”
Bowyer’s win might not do much to soothe Childress’ problems in the Sprint Cup series, where Bowyer (15th), Jeff Burton (16th), Casey Mears (20th) and Kevin Harvick (27th) are all out of championship contention. Then again, a trip to Victory Lane could raise morale across the board.
And this one wasn’t a fluke. Bowyer had the car to beat much of the night. He started on the pole and spent much of the night running up front. He moved to the front for good with about 30 laps to go, often driving away from his competitors down the backstretch.
“That was the best we had,” Busch said. “Clint’s car was better than ours tonight. We have some work to do before coming back here.
Brad Keselowski finished sixth, followed by Brian Vickers, Justin Allgaier, David Ragan and Harvick.
Related News
NFL Hall of Fame-nominated Jerry Rice to be host, player in Nationwide tourney in 2010September 30th, 2009 Jerry Rice to play Nationwide eventHAYWARD, Calif. — Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice is making his professional golf debut next year as a tournament host and player at a Nationwide Tour event in northern California.
Bowyer wins Nationwide race at Dover International; Kyle Busch runs 4th to keep points leadSeptember 26th, 2009 Bowyer wins Nationwide race at DoverDOVER, Del. — Denny Hamlin's day appeared over.
Kevin Harvick leads 150 laps, passes Dale Earnhardt Jr. late to win Nationwide race in AtlantaSeptember 5th, 2009 Harvick reclaims lead late for Nationwide winHAMPTON, Ga. — Dale Earnhardt Jr.
NASCAR moves Daytona 500 qualifying to Feb. 6, avoids conflict with Super BowlAugust 28th, 2009 Daytona 500 qualifying avoids Super Bowl conflictDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Qualifying for next season's Daytona 500 will be held one day earlier than usual, a move that avoids running the session on the same day as the Super Bowl.
Marcos Ambros wins second straight Nationwide race at Watkins Glen InternationalAugust 9th, 2009 Ambrose wins again at The GlenWATKINS GLEN, N.Y. —Marcos Ambrose has won the Zippo 200 in the Nationwide Series for the second straight year at Watkins Glen International.
Denny Hamlin ends 50-race skid, holds off Juan Pablo Montoya with exciting win at PoconoAugust 4th, 2009 Hamlin ends 50-race skid, wins at Pocono RacewayLONG POND, Pa. — Denny Hamlin ended a 50-race winless skid Monday, holding off Juan Pablo Montoya over the final riveting laps at Pocono Raceway before choking up with grief in Victory Lane.
Brad Keslowski passes Kyle Busch to win inaugural Nationwide Series race at Iowa SpeedwayAugust 2nd, 2009 Keslowski wins Nationwide Series race in IowaNEWTON, Iowa — Brad Keslowski passed Kyle Busch with eight laps left and held on to win the inaugural Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway. Keslowski stayed on the track during a caution flag late in the race Saturday, a risk that paid off with his second victory of the year.
Jeremy Mayfield doesn't want to be distraction at DaytonaJuly 5th, 2009 Mayfield stays away from DaytonaDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jeremy Mayfield was not at Daytona International Speedway for Saturday night's race, citing the media attention on his legal fight with NASCAR as an unnecessary distraction from the Independence Day celebration.
Last-lap wreck with Busch gives Stewart victory at DaytonaJuly 5th, 2009 Stewart wins at Daytona after last-lap wreckDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Tony Stewart led lap after lap around Daytona International Speedway, using a flawless pit-road performance to inch closer to his second win as owner of his race team.
Jeremy Mayfield misses deadline to enter his No. 41 Toyota at Daytona International SpeedwayJuly 2nd, 2009 Mayfield misses deadline to enter car at DaytonaDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jeremy Mayfield has missed the deadline to enter his car into Saturday night's race at Daytona International Speedway.
Mayfield's team not in garage at Daytona at deadline to enter Saturday's raceJuly 2nd, 2009 Mayfield not at Daytona when garage opensDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Car owners Larry Gunselman and Tommy Baldwin say they will not put Jeremy Mayfield in their cars this weekend at Daytona International Speedway.
Nationwide series goes to double-file restarts, emulating Sprint CupJune 27th, 2009 Nationwide series goes to double-file restartsDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Nationwide series will emulate the top NASCAR circuit by using double-file restarts with the leaders at the front throughout races, beginning with the event at Daytona International Speedway on July 3.
Sponsorship woes force W.Va. Nationwide Tour event to cut purse from $1 million to $600,000June 20th, 2009 Nationwide Tour event cuts purse nearly in halfBRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — One of the Nationwide Tour's top events has slashed its purse nearly in half because of a lack of sponsorships.
Johnson birdies first playoff hole to beat Gallagher in Nationwide playoffJune 1st, 2009 Johnson defeats Gallagher in Nationwide playoffRALEIGH, N.C. — Kevin Johnson birdied the first playoff hole Sunday to defeat Jeff Gallagher and win the Nationwide Tour's Rex Hospital Open.
Keselowski makes right move off restart to win Nationwide race at Dover International SpeedwayMay 31st, 2009 Keselowski wins Nationwide race at DoverDOVER, Del. — Brad Keselowski raced to his first NASCAR Nationwide Series victory of the season on Saturday, taking the lead during a restart with two laps left at Dover International Speedway.
Loading ...