Clint Bowyer

NASCAR driver and Kansas native Clint Bowyer will return to Hays to race again this summer. The Rolling Plains Speedway announced via its Facebook page on Tuesday that Bowyer has signed on to race at its Mod Mania event on July 31st. The Emporia native made his first trip to the RPM speedway for the same event last year. He was joined in Hays by fellow Sprint Cup series driver Kenny Schrader. Bowyer cut his teeth racing on dirt track in Kansas, but had never raced Hays before last season.

New faces with new teams and new cars were on display during Day 1 of Preseason Thunder at Daytona, but one storyline dominated - the Gen-6 car is sleek and fast.   Defending Daytona 500 champion Matt Kenseth, with new team Joe Gibbs Racing, was fastest in the first practice with a top speed of 192.757 mph and second-fastest in the afternoon session with a top speed of 195.385 mph. Teammate Denny Hamlin topped the speed chart in the second practice (195.712 mph) in his Gen-6 Toyota Camry.

Michael Waltrip Racing owners Rob Kauffman and Michael Waltrip announced today they will race in the 51st annual Rolex 24 at Daytona on Jan. 26-27. Joining the pair behind the wheel of the Grand Am version of the Ferrari 458 GT that will test in Daytona this weekend will be NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Clint Bowyer and road racing veteran Rui Aguas.      "The Rolex 24 at Daytona is the pinnacle of sports car racing in America and a world class event with huge historic relevance,” said Kauffman.

There are plenty of postseason awards in NASCAR, so I figure why not add my two cents worth.  But you know me, I can't just give out the "best driver" or "comeback awards", that is boring. So with out further ado, time to give out the "Backstretchies. " The Gomer Pyle Award "Surprise, Surprise, Surprise" This has to go to the points champion Brad Keselowski. Sure BK had his break through season in 2011, be honest how many among you had him as the champion. Keselowski was able to stare down a five time champ and takehome his first Sprint Cup. Not bad for a guy who has only been a full time cup driver for three seasons.

No one saw this coming. No one.   Brad Keselowski won his first race in 2009 at Talladega Superspeedway, running a part-time schedule with single-car team Phoenix Racing. It was a nice story in a long season, one that ended with Jimmie Johnson winning the championship.   His second victory came in 2011 at Kansas Speedway while in his second full season with Penske Racing. That win moved him into 21st in points. Again, a feel-good story to weave into the year; one that culminates with Tony Stewart capturing his third title.

Kansas native Clint Bowyer may be done racing for the year, but he is still plenty busy. All of the drivers who finished in the top 10 in points are in Las Vegas this week for Friday's annual awards banquet. For Bowyer, he still can't believe his number 15 team finished second in the standings, in his first season at Michael Waltrip Racing. "It's huge -- to end up second in points and beat guys like Jimmie Johnson to do it," said Bowyer. "There's several races -- had I had to do over again -- I wish they would've been different.  Talladega was the biggest one. I'm proud of everybody, because we were there all season long.

Clint Bowyer's chance at a NASCAR championship will have to wait another year. The Emporia native appeared to be headed to Homestead, with an outside shot at the title. But instead, an accident caused when Jeff Gordon intentionally wrecked the 15 coming to the white flag, lead to a 28th place finish for Bowyer and officially eliminated him from contention in the chase. "It's crazy, I didn't even need to pass him, I was plenty content riding behind him," said Bowyer. "But he slipped up and I got under him and here he comes back.

Two races to go, three drivers with any kind of chance of winning the Sprint Cup Championship. So obviously the stakes at Phoenix International Raceway, are rising. The stakes are probably the highest for Clint Bowyer, as his margin for error is the smallest. Not only must he run a perfect race at Phoenix, but he also needs a little help in the way of bad luck for both Jimmie Johnson and Brad Keselowski. And Phoenix is not a great track for Bowyer, but then again, neither was Charlotte.