Clint Bowyer, driver of the #15 5-hour Energy Toyota, speaks to the media during a press conference before a practice session for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 21, 2015 Photo – Tom Pennington/Getty Images
A business-like, perhaps even somber, Clint Bowyer walked into the press room to discuss the closing of Michael Waltrip Racing at the end of the 2015 season. The 36-year-old driver, who is only eight months into a three-year contract is now a free agent. Bowyer feels that although the future holds a lot of unknowns, he appreciates his time at the company.
“…had a great four years at this company,” said Bowyer. “A great culture, great personnel, great people at MWR and I really did enjoy the years I spent there.”
Bowyer went on to explain that his 2016 season is nearly fully funded and he is proud of his relationship with 5-Hour Energy – a sponsor that will likely follow Bowyer to a another organization.
With the impending parting of ways with Rob Kauffman, Bowyer made one point clear. He is not driving for Chip Ganassi Racing next season, where it seems Kauffman is going.
So now the speculation begins. In 2016, Bowyer could drive for Stewart-Haas Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, or even another team. In time, the answer will come.
In the meantime, Bowyer’s focus is on the task at hand.
With eight career wins, Bowyer is trying to make the best of a difficult situation. Currently 15th in points, he is on the bubble and may or may not qualify for The Chase for the Sprint Cup. Staying focused and doing their jobs, the No. 15 team members intend to finish the season on a high note.
For Michael Waltrip Racing this day is the result of much discussion over the summer. They are closing their doors at this point because co-owner and team financier Rob Kauffman says he has purchased a stake in Chip Ganassi Racing. Kauffman states that he and Michael Waltrip are close friends, but he feels the current business model doesn’t make sense and he is therefore leaving the organization.
“This is a performance driven business,” says Kauffman. “And to have a top-ten budget you must perform as a top-ten team.”
Kauffman went on to state that the Richmond scandal dealt the team, “a body blow.”
On a fateful night in 2013 in Richmond International Raceway, Bowyer spun, bringing out the caution flag, and thus aiding his teammate Martin Truex, Jr. to make the Chase. But there was a negative response to that spin, leading NASCAR to take action. All three Michael Waltrip teams lost fifty points, thus knocking Truex out of Chase contention and costing the organization a $300,000 fine. The more long-term blow came when NAPA Auto Parts withdrew its sponsorship, forcing the company to downsize the following year to just two cars.
That was the beginning of the end for Michael Waltrip Racing, as no team within the organization has had a victory since that fateful day at Richmond, and now at the end of this season, their door is closing.
I say bull, as all sorts of manipulation happens at any/every race, every time since the beginning. They happened to get caught. Anything from sandbagging, the mysterious back marker making laps that stays out of trouble the whole race..the camera is NEVER on them, them boom!!! They hit the wall forcing a scenario…and let us not forget the debris cautions and other goodies done by the sanctioning body NASCAR. Nope, sounds like Mr. Rob K. got sick of running the business as Mikey the guy’s who’s name is on the company is running around doing everything BUT taking care of his business. The sponsorship was there, is there.
Now, we need to have the Waltrips off TV. Leave it to a Waltrip to ruin the enjoyment of watching what is left of racing.
Goober Waltrip should go away and Fox should be ashamed of having him on broadcast. This is a total conflict of interest. Tim for DW to be one as well.