Clint Bowyer’s retirement is set for the close of the 2020 NASCAR season as he moves to the FOX Sports broadcast booth in 2021.
With only five races remaining for the NASCAR Cup Series in 2020, veteran Clint Bowyer has officially announced his retirement at seasons’ end. It’s the end of an era for Bowyer, who is moving to the broadcast booth fulltime for FOX Sports beginning in 2021.
At 41 years of age, Bowyer has enjoyed a successful career, as the winner of ten Cup Series races (best overall point finish of second), eight Xfinity Series wins (2008 champion), and three Truck Series wins, makes him one of the few to win a race in all of NASCAR’s top-three divisions.
While there is some unfinished business as Bowyer finishes these last five races, his career is one that is reflected on with fond memories. Now is a good time to take a look back at how Bowyer’s NASCAR career progresses from start to finish.
From Emporia, Kansas to Richard Childress Racing
A native of Emporia, KS, Clint Bowyer grew up racing two and four-wheeled machines on dirt. Asphalt racing came later in life and it is an ARCA race in the early 2000s that caught the attention of team owner Richard Childress. Searching for that next young talent, Bowyer began his NASCAR career with RCR in 2004, running a limited schedule in the Busch Series (now known as the Xfinity Series).
Racing fulltime in 2005, Bowyer has a breakout season, earning two wins and finishing second in the point standings. The season is good enough that he earns a promotion to the Cup Series fulltime to contend as a rookie in 2006 with teammate veterans Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton.
Throughout Bowyer’s time driving the Nos. 07 and 33 Chevrolets for RCR, Bowyer earns half of his career Cup wins to date. In six full seasons at RCR, Bowyer has two top-five and three top-ten point finishes. It seems that Bowyer would enjoy an illustrious career remaining at RCR, but the 2012 season brings about a new chapter.
Michael Waltrip Racing
In 2012, Bowyer starts driving for Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) and has his most successful season to date, earning three wins and finishing second in the overall point standings. It seems as if he is on the verge of a Cup championship.
2013 proves to be another good season, albeit a winless season and a final finish of seventh in the overall point standings. Unfortunately for MWR, a loss of sponsorship after the 2013 season forces the team to cut back to two cars for the following year. By the end of 2015, the team ceases operations. The end of MWR is an unfortunate situation for Bowyer, who appears destined for a long term stint as the star driver for the organization. Now on to the final chapter of Bowyer’s career.
Racing at HScott Motorsports on the Way to Stewart Haas Racing
Before the end of 2015 and Bowyer’s time at MWR, Tony Stewart announces his retirement at the end of 2016, and that Bowyer is taking over Stewart Haas Racing’s (SHR) flagship No. 14 Ford beginning in 2017. In the meantime, Bowyer has one season driving for HScott Motorsports before beginning his time with SHR.
While the 2017 season has its share of growing pains, Bowyer enjoys a resurgence in 2018, earning two big wins at Martinsville and Michigan. They are his first Cup wins since 2012, and a strong playoff run allows Bowyer to make it to the Round of 8 in the playoffs. Bowyer continues to earn playoff berths in 2019 and this season as well.
Clint Bowyer’s Retirement is Set
With just five races remaining in Bowyer’s career, he can sit back and enjoy these last few weeks as a driver, and he should do so with a smile on his face. It’s been quite the journey to get to his last chapter as a NASCAR driver, and he goes out driving for a top tier team at the highest level of stock car racing. So here’s to Clint Bowyer, with a heartfelt congratulations to you and your racing career.