Clint’s family, friends share in excitement
Jennifer Roblez
Monday, September 17, 2007
The candle is lit.
Jeff Wells, Emporia’s No. 1 Clint Bowyer fan, gave Bowyer’s parents a NASCAR trophy candle to light the day Bowyer made it to the winner’s circle.
In a text message Sunday night, after Bowyer won the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway, Chris Bowyer confirmed the flame was burning.
“We live, eat and breathe Clint Bowyer,” Wells said of his family — spouse Becky, and son, Derek, while he and business owner, Darrell Anderson, moved NASCAR Collectibles this morning to 1504 W. Sixth St., next to Wizards’ CD store.
“I have 155 signatures, 90 of his motorcycle trophies, autographed sheet metal from his cars and plenty more,” Wells said. He drives a Chevy Caprice loaded with a personalized Bowyer plate and plenty of 07s.
Chris and Jana Bowyer were driving this morning through a tollgate to Clint’s next race in Dover, Del., for the RoadLoans.com 200 NASCAR Busch Series race this weekend.
“It was a lot of fun, a lot of fun — it was everything I thought it’d be,” Chris Bowyer said after getting through the toll stop.
The last 20 laps were nerve-wracking, too, for the Bowyer parents.
“My wife was in the grandstands and I was on (our trailer’s) roof watching ... you know if nothing goes wrong, you’ve got the race won.
“We were watching for cautions — one driver was told to pick up his speed — and if that driver had blown his engine, all that oil was the last thing we needed. We wanted to finish under the green and we did.”
Emporians will get to see Clint Bowyer when he brings his travel trailer here Oct. 1 — the Monday after he races in the LifeLock 400 Nextel Cup series race at the Kansas Speedway, the elder Bowyer said. “They’ve built a Walgreen’s where we were last year... We’re still looking for a location.”
To the senior Bowyer, it’s a dream he had doubts about, and it’s his Kansas nature to talk honestly about them.
“Who knows if you can win this deal and run up there with the guys who are the winners, the past champions and stuff? It’s a pretty amazing deal,” he said. “Given the opportunity and the right situation ... and did I ever think he’d get the chance?
“I didn’t see any possible way to get where he got... it’s almost unattainable for people like us from Kansas to get that opportunity.
“It’s luck and timing, and when you get that chance you’ve got to make something of it because those folks won’t wait long.
“He’s got the win, now it’s off his back and everyone can quit asking about it.”
Larry Wilburn, body shop manager at John North Ford who worked next to Clint Bowyer for a few years, was laughing this morning at the memory of his first trip to see Bowyer race.
“He ran half-a-lap and wrecked.”
Wilburn said Bowyer’s Type A personality was a plus. NASCAR “was all he talked about.” It was in Wilburn’s office where Bowyer got the call to race for Richard Childress.
“I think he’s turned all Emporia into NASCAR fans,” the elder Bowyer said.
admireed (anonymous) says...
It is a GREAT day in Emporia!
September 17, 2007 at 3:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
A few gunshots and horns honking in Americus at the end.From the living room TV armchair perspective it looked like a "Now this is how ya do it!" race.WOW!
September 17, 2007 at 3:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthinkin (anonymous) says...
Thanks - Clint & Team ..... I knew you could do it, and I'm proud of you. That WAS fun, and the first of many more.... Good luck in the chase.
September 17, 2007 at 4:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )