CLINT BOWYER
No. 15 5-hour ENERGY TOYOTA
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
SONOMA PREVIEW
CUSTOM CARS, COUNTRY CONCERT
MAKE GIVING BACK FUN FOR CLINT BOWYER
CORNELIUS, N.C. – 5-hour ENERGY Toyota driver Clint Bowyer prides himself on his ability to have a good time while never forgetting his roots in Emporia, Kan. Bowyer continues to find new ways to tie all of his favorite things together to benefit his hometown in his own unique way.
Bowyer, through his charity the “79 Fund,” has given more than $1 million to the Emporia Community Foundation. The funds have been used to build the Clint Bowyer Community Building – a multi-purpose community center to host events, concerts and activities for the 25,000 Emporia residents.
“The Bowyer Community Building is my way to say thank you to all the people in my hometown who’ve been putting up with me and my brothers as we were growing up,” laughed Bowyer.
“I wanted to do something in Emporia to show people how much pride and the sense of community that I feel for my hometown. We were always missing a place for people to meet up and have a community meeting, prom or wedding and now I think we have that.”
Bowyer worked with Lyon County to secure the land and work on the design and construction of the new facility.
Bowyer decided to throw a grand opening party for his new building that few in small town Emporia will ever forget. On Tuesday, June 26, he is hosting an acoustic concert featuring his good friend and country music superstar Blake Shelton presented by 5-hour ENERGY with a guest appearance by NASCAR personality Kyle Petty.
“I’m hoping that hosting this concert and having Blake Shelton come out to Emporia is something the people here will remember for a long time,” said Bowyer. “We don’t normally get big name stars and events to come here and do things in our community. This is going to be a very big deal and not only that – it’s going to be one heck of a good time and raise money for the community.”
The Sherwin-Williams Planet Color All-Star Charity Challenge showcases Bowyer’s love of classic cars and ties back to his foundation. Bowyer and fellow Sprint Cup Series driver Greg Biffle went head-to-head designing trucks to be auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson Auctions to raise money for their charities. Bowyer designed a 1950s-inspired 2011 Toyota Tundra work truck incorporating a throwback red patina paint design. The Tundra goes to auction at Barrett-Jackson in Orange County, Calif. on Saturday, June 24. Bowyer will make the trip from Sonoma to Orange County on Friday after Sprint Cup Series qualifying.
“I try to take my favorite things and have fun with them to make my community better. I like cars, I like racing and I like country music – so that is my formula! I’m not sure how other people do their things, but for me if I can tie everything together and have fun while making the community better I think that’s a win in my book.”
Bowyer continues to raise money in support of his 79 Fund through various events throughout the year, including the annual Clint Bowyer Support Emporia Charity Golf Tournament and through incentives by sponsors throughout the racing season.
ADDITIONAL NOTES OF INTEREST
· 5-hour ENERGY VIP Sweepstakes: The 5-hour ENERGY VIP Racing Experience Sweepstakes winner will receive travel accommodations to Charlotte, N.C., unique team access at the track, honorary pit crew memberships, the winner’s name on the No. 15 Toyota, NASCAR Hall of Fame tickets, a MWR shop tour, and meet and greets with Michael Waltrip and Bowyer. For information or to enter, please visit the online entry form.
· BOWYER’S TUNDRA GOES UP FOR AUCTION: Bowyer designed a 1950s-inspired work truck out of a 2011 Toyota Tundra for the Sherwin-Williams Planet Color All-Star Charity Challenge. Bowyer will fly to Orange County, Calif. next Saturday, June 23 while the Sprint Cup Series is in Sonoma to see the finished design go up for auction at Barrett Jackson Auto Auction. Money raised from the sale of the Tundra will go to Bowyer’s 79 Fund and the Emporia Community Fund.
· BOWYER AT SONOMA: Bowyer will make his seventh NSCS start at Sonoma on Sunday. In his previous six starts Bowyer has three top-five and four top-10 finishes. His best finish is fourth, which he has done three times including his most recent trip in 2011. Bowyer has led two laps in his six starts, averages a 19th place starting position and finish of 11th. Bowyer has completed all 165 possible laps raced over his career. Bowyer has scored 693 points at Sonoma – fourth most of any driver during the last six seasons.
· HELLO JUNE: Bowyer kicked off June by recording a fifth place finish at Dover – his first top-five since Bristol. He followed it up with a sixth place finish at Pocono and a seventh place finish at Michigan. Prior to 2012, Bowyer has four top-five and 18 top-10s with an average finish of 15.6 in 42 starts at tracks the NSCS visits in the month of June (Dover, Pocono, Michigan and Sonoma)
· BOWYER IN 2012: In 15 starts this season Bowyer has two top-five, eight top-10 and 12 top-15 finishes. He has led six laps – three at Las Vegas, two at Martinsville and one at Michigan. He has an average finish of 12.1 and start of 14.6. Bowyer’s best average finish for a season came in 2007 when he averaged a finish of 13.8 and finished third in the final point standings.
· CHASSIS NOTES: Primary chassis No. 632 previously raced as the No. 47 at Sonoma. Chassis No. 690 is the backup and previously raced as the No. 56 in California and Michigan in 2011.
· TESTING: Bowyer and the No. 15 team prepared for Sonoma by testing at Virginia International Raceway on May 30. The team also tested at Pocono (June 5-6), Bristol (June 12-13) and Michigan (June 14) in the last several weeks.
· NMPA SPIRIT AWARD WINNER: The National Motorsports Press Association selected Clint Bowyer as its first quarter Spirit Award winner. The award recognizes an individual’s contributions to the racing community. Bowyer’s “79 Fund” donated more than $1 million to the construction of the Bowyer Community Building, a multi-purpose community center to host events, concerts and activities for the residents of Bowyer’s hometown of Emporia, Kan. Click here for more information on the Bowyer Community Building.
· When You Got To Get Stuff Done: 5-hour ENERGY announced on Friday, April 20 at Kansas Speedway an agreement with Michael Waltrip Racing to expand their sponsorship of the No. 15 Toyota and driver Clint Bowyer for an additional 12 races in 2012. Bowyer will now drive the No. 15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota in 35 of 36 point races. The lone exception was Bowyer’s Aaron’s/Alabama National Championship car at Talladega.
