The Backstretch Blog: Bowyer on the Backstretch

Clint Bowyer climbed back into the top 10 in the points standings after an impressive run at Dover last weekend. The 15 team finished fifth at a track that typically hasn't been that great for Bowyer.

NASCAR heads to Pocono this weekend, but before the Kansas Kid takes on the tricky triangle, he has a title to defend. On Wednesday night, Bowyer will head to the Eldora Speedway for the "Prelude to a Dream."  That is Tony Stewart's annual charity race in Ohio, and Bowyer won the big dirt track showdown one year ago.

"I have been out at my dirt shop all week trying to get my Georgia Boot car ready for the Prelude, my dirt car teams got back super late (Monday), and I was trying to help them get their cars clean and repaired," said Bowyer. "We have a two-day test at Pocono split by the Prelude and then our normal Sprint Cup race weekend. Lots to get done and no rest in sight."

A win would actually make it three straight for the Clint Bowyer racing team. In 2010, Jimmie Johnson won the race, driving for Bowyer.

"We all work hard and take the Prelude very seriously - it's important to our team and our sponsors that we go out and perform at the highest level," explained Bowyer. "So we need all the focus and the energy that we can get."

As for the actual race, as Bowyer mentioned there will be a two day test before the race weekend. That is because the Pocono Raceway was recently repaved.

A change in the track could help Bowyer, who has been pretty good at Pocono. but not great. In 13 previous starts he has one top five and five top 10 finishes. His best run came in 2009, when he finished third.

Bowyer said Wednesday afternoon, he liked what he saw at the test.

"The grip level is amazing. The level is higher because we are going faster, but it doesn't feel a whole lot faster," said Bowyer. "The feel wise - where it was rough and it was bouncing the car around - you got the sensation of speed. It is still a real narrow racetrack. Hopefully by Sunday, it will widen out for us. We certainly have plenty of time to make that happen."