TOYOTA NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Clint Bowyer — Notes & Quotes Daytona Media Day – February 16, 2012
CLINT BOWYER, No. 15 5-Hour Energy Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing What can you bring to Michael Waltrip Racing? “Looking at last year, they showed signs of brilliance and then I think where they lacked is being consistent throughout the year. If we’re able to go there — that’s one thing that’s always been my strong point. If I’m able to go there, get in his equipment and continue my consistency that I’ve been accustomed to over the last several years, I think that’s what they’re missing.”
How are you preparing for this season? “Just kind of more of the same. It’s been really busy in this off-season with everything that’s new. It’s been tough, but it’s been a good opportunity. For whatever reason, we were very fortunate to get a tire test down in Texas. That was a good test for us as a new team to get to know each other, work with one another, get that communication with everybody that we talk about. We talk about it all the time, but it’s so important to be able to go there and get that under our belts. We’ve been down here in New Smyrna (Speedway) and the Daytona test for three days and we were at Disney World before Christmas. We were able to test a lot and work with one another, as far as Brian Pattie, my crew chief, and I, the engineers and everybody on our No. 15 car. I think that — I ain’t going to say we’re 100 percent ready. I’m going to say that I’m pleasantly surprised how far we’ve come in a short amount of time. I feel like we’re ready to get the year started and we’re ready for the challenge. I think that everybody knows what we’re up against. We’ve got a lot of ways to go, but I feel like they’re not near as far off as one would think.”
How did the signing of Scott Miller impact your decision to join Michael Waltrip Racing “Scott Miller (executive vice president of competition, Michael Waltrip Racing) being there was my comforting factor in my decision making and everything. That was my common ground that I know his thought process, I know what he did for RCR (Richard Childress Racing), the organization that he created within RCR, so I kind of know the path that we’re going down because I’ve known that. I’ve seen what he did when he moved into that role at RCR. I’m excited about what’s going on, the direction MWR is headed and my teammates. Martin Truex (Jr.) and I raced one another in the Nationwide Series. I’ve got a lot of respect for him. Mark Martin — that was the asset that came after, long after my deal was already signed up and done. I get that laid on me, ‘What do you think about Mark Martin for a teammate,’ and I’m like, ‘Holy cow, are you kidding? That’s exactly what we need.’ It’s going to be a huge asset for all of us.”
How is Mark Martin as a teammate? “Mark, it’s his work ethic. There’s not too many 50-year-old people that can run in a young man’s game. His work ethic is the reason why. His determination, dedication to the sport is the reason he is able to do that at the age that he is. He’s in better shape — I’d put his physical condition up against anybody in this garage area — anybody. Everybody knows Carl’s (Edwards) workout regimen and everything that he does — I’m telling you, Mark Martin, I’d put him up against that. That’s the reason he’s able to do what he does and stay on top of his game and stay honed in on what he’s doing. And then, through that dedication, it’s not just physical conditioning — it’s way more than that. When I’m testing at Texas, the man called me three different times, ‘What’s going on? What’s it feel like? What are you fighting? What are you good at? Where’s your strong points? Where are you struggling?’ I was like, ‘Wow.’ I’m not used to having that kind of relationship. I mean, Jeff Burton and I have a very strong relationship — talked a lot, but to have that with such a new teammate right off the bat just opened my eyes to how things should be.”
What do you expect to get out of the Shootout? “I’ve got to work — I have a new spotter, I’ve got a new crew — we’ve got to use this as a practice session and put it toward the big race on the next Sunday. But we’re here to win, man. The Bud Shootout is a big race. I haven’t been able to win it and I want to win the damn thing.”
Will we see two-car drafting or pack drafting at Daytona? “I don’t know that NASCAR’s done — they’re going to answer to the fans. The fans spoke out. They asked for a change. They didn’t like this two-car tango and NASCAR’s going to answer that, one way or another. I think they’ve done a lot of good things to get to that destination. Have they got all the way there? Time will tell, but something — I don’t think they’re just going to allow — if they don’t have it fixed, I don’t think they’re just going to allow it to be what it is. They’re going to answer to the fans and take care of our fans and put on a show of what they’re asking for.”
CLINT BOWYER, No. 15 5-Hour Energy Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing (continued) Have you thought about what it would be like to actually win the Daytona 500? “Yeah, I have. Just what it would mean to you. This track — I mean everybody, even you guys, the media, when you come here there’s just something about it when you pull through the tunnel. I always look at that bank and just have a feeling. It’s like, ‘This is incredible.’ This is the granddaddy of them all and it’s the one you want to win and until you win that race you don’t ever give up on that feeling. I’d say that feeling would happen even after you won it. Everybody wants to win this baby bad.”
How demanding is the Daytona 500 mentally? “This race is way more mentally exhausting than it is physically. It’s a mental nightmare the whole time trying to figure out — you’re in a traffic jam, you’re trying to figure out how to get out, how to get through the traffic jam. I was a fan of the two cars because you could control your destiny and your outcome of the race and I know that doesn’t sound right, but you could. When they were three and four-wide and you’re coming up through the pack, you could have a run 30 miles an hour faster and you’d get to them running three-wide and there’s nowhere to go. You’re stopped and you just ride there until a chain of events happens and you move up one link and then you move up another link in the chain and you just — there’s no flying through the field like there is now. You can get a run with somebody, you’re talking to them and you’re like, ‘Come on, baby, we’re going low. Now we’re going high. Follow me. Come on. Come on. Come on.’ You’re just constantly working and I liked that aspect. It was something to focus on and work on and hone in and correct your skills and get them right for the end of the race when the time’s right. And, we we’re able to do that pretty good in the last few races and I think, unfortunately, that’s going to be different this next time around.”
