Bowyer Soldiers Through Despite Debilitating Damage

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Clint Bowyer got slammed during an early wreck today at the Aaron’s 312 after Dario Franchitti cut down a tire, hit the wall, and cut a destructive path through other cars as he careened down Talladega’s steep bank. (Poor Clint—it seems he’s always at the wrong place at the wrong time when one of these open-wheel guys decides to lose it). The wreck sent both Franchitti and Chevy driver Larry Gunselman to the hospital, Franchitti with a shattered ankle—but Bowyer, while unhurt, arguably had more to lose than most. He’d been the points leader in the Nationwide Series, and a DNF would’ve been catastrophic to his chances at the championship. So despite extensive front-end and body damage, his team gamely patched up the Camping World Chevrolet and got him back out on the track to salvage what points he could. Despite being over 20 laps down at one point, Bowyer rallied, managing to finish the race in his junk car—and even hanging onto his points lead!