Clint Bowyer celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma on June 24, 2012 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Clint Bowyer survived a Green-White-Checkered finish and a late race surge from Tony Stewart to score his first win with Michael Waltrip Racing in Sunday afternoon’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma. The win was Bowyer’s sixth of his career, third for MWR, and the first for both the driver/team combination on a road course.
It also marked a great day for Michael Waltirp Racing, not just with Bowyer winning,but with Brian Vickers finishing fourth after an early race pit road penalty and Martin Truex, Jr. having a strong run before a late race mishap. In all, the MWR boys would lead a total of 86 of the 112 laps(due to the green-white checkered finish). Bowyer, however, led the most at 71 laps.
This race definitely showed that the Midwestern dirt track racer has some road course skills in his blood.
The race start of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 was like it is every year, with many of the teams being on a variety of pit strategies. The race also had a different feel than last year. It was run caution free until Lap 81, when Tommy Drissi, a road course ringer driving for Tommy Baldwin Racing, crashed in the esses.
The win for Clint Bowyer comes 19 races since his last one at Talladega Superspeedway for Richard Childress Raicng. His crew chief, Brian Pattie said after the race “that’s bad ass right there,” and was in complete shock that it didn’t take long for this new team to gel and end up in victory lane.
After the race, Bowyer ran out of fuel while doing his burnout and had to walk to victory lane.
“To switch teams like I did was a huge risk and a chance for me, and it was obviously a chance for me to showcase my talent,” Bowyer beamed, “It’s just a dream come true.”
Also showing emotion after the race was Kurt Busch. Busch as you may recall was suspended by NASCAR two weeks ago at Pocono after berating Bob Pockrass, scored his first top-five in the No. 51 at Phoenix Racing.
“I just made that one mistake, and if you’re not perfect in this game in Sprint Cup, it’s tough,” Busch said. “Thanks to Monster, Tag Heuer — they’re sticking with me (as associate sponsors). This car’s available. I was going to call us Team Tiger Blood if we won, but I still might.”
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Sparta, Kentucky for some Saturday night short track racing next weekend. Let’s just hope there isn’t another traffic issue.
Unofficial Race Results:
1. Clint Bowyer
2. Tony Stewart
3. Kurt Busch
4. Brian Vickers
5. Jimmie Johnson
6. Jeff Gordon (MY RACE PICK)
7. Greg Biffle
8. Marcos Ambrose (Pole Sitter)
9. AJ Allmendinger
10. Joey Logano
11. Jeff Burton
12. Brad Keselowski
13. Matt Kenseth
14. Kasey Kahne
15. Casey Mears
16. Kevin Harvick
17. Kyle Busch
18. Ryan Newman
19. Jamie McMurray
20. Paul Menard
21. Carl Edwards
22. Martin Truex, Jr.
23. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
24. Bobby Labonte
25. Scott Speed
26. David Gilliland
27. David Ragan
28. Aric Almirola
29. Boris Said
30. Josh Wise
31. Landon Cassill
32. Regan Smith
32. JJ Yeley
34. Juan Pablo Montoya
35. Denny Hamlin
36. Travis Kvapil
37. Dave Blaney
38. Tomy Drissi
39. Robby Gordon
40. David Mayhew
41. Stephen Leicht
42. Chris Cook
43. Joe Nemechek
