The Backstretch Blog: Bowyer on the Backstretch

NASCAR heads to the Kansas Speedway this week, so obviously this is a big race for Emporia native Clint Bowyer. The Kansas Kid won the truck race at his home track one year ago, but he has yet to win the big one, a Sprint Cup race here. And obviously that would be big for Bowyer, but its tough to stay focused when there are so many demands on his time at home.

"It's difficult to go home because of getting pulled in all the different directions," said all the while trying to focus on getting a good run, because that's really what's important to you the most there. It's important to me to run well in front of all my fans, friends and family."

Among the things on Bowyer's plate this weekend, he will throw out the first pitch at the Kansas City Royals game.

The Number 15 team rolls into Kansas, 10th in the points. And although he has run good at Kansas, Bowyer doesn't really have the finishes. In eight races, he has just three top tens.

But maybe this year will be different, after all it's a new year, a new team and a successful start to the season.

"I see that we've had opportunities to battle through adversity and we've made good decisions. That's what it takes to succeed at this level," said Biwyer. "It's not who can take a good day and run good with it, it's who can have some struggles throughout the day and make the right decisions to put yourself in position to get the best finish possible. I feel like we've done a good job of that so far this season"