Sirius XM NASCAR Radio's
Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that Clint Bowyer is near agreement on a new, multi-year contract with Michael Waltrip Racing, with an announcement expected within the next 24-48 hours.
Bowyer will leave Richard Childress Racing at season's end, after being unable to come to terms with the team for which he has competed for his entire NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career. The Emporia, Kansas, native is reported to have spoken -- at least preliminarily -- with at least four teams; Richard Petty Motorsports, Roush Fenway Racing, Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing. MWR emerged as the leading candidate within the last two weeks, and now, final details are being wrapped up that will put Bowyer in an MWR Toyota Camry next season as a teammate to Martin Truex, Jr., and David Reutimann. Sponsorship will come from Five Hour Energy,
The multi-year deal is in the final stages of negotiation, with an official announcement expected this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.
UPDATE: Michael Waltrip issued a statement Friday afternoon, commenting on Sirius-Speedway.com's report that Clint Bowyer will join Michael Waltrip Racing in 2012. "I can confirm we have had very productive conversations with Clint and a quality sponsor," said Waltrip. "Today, however, we don’t have anything finalized and we’re not in a position to make any formal announcements. Our goal has never changed. Rob (Kauffman) and I want to continue to improve the competitiveness of our team and be a consistent winner at NASCAR’s highest level. Pursuing Chase-proven personnel, including drivers, has been a priority. As soon as we have more information to share, we will.”
Hell yeah! RCR will be sorry when the old guys leave him with nobody to mentor Austin and Ty.
ReplyDeleteI am A JG fan I think RCR will do just fine RC is the man he will and does the right thing alot of the time.
ReplyDeleteIgnoring Atlanta, do you think he may have been a better fit at EGR?
ReplyDeleteI feel like when you go to MWR, unless you drive a car with NAPA on the hood, you are not the primary driver, no matter how much money you sponsor brings...
Congrats to Clint and the MWR team. Sounds like the music is winding down on this years edition of musical rides. Its now interesting to speculate what will transpire at RCR with a vacant seat in the cup series! Dave can you potentially see Austin moving from trucks to cup and the truck program going maybe going away there after this recent merger with KHI. Humm! Almost too bad we are discussing this with an extraordinary chase set for us!
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame he had to settle for MWR, and lousy 5 hour energy. It's another reminder of the economic times when a driver like Bowyer can't do better than this.
ReplyDeleteWell, Clint, you had a pretty solid career while it lasted.
ReplyDeleteI for one am hoping that this just isn't so. As a big MWR supporter, I do not care for Bowyer and would much rather see him somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteWell at least he won't become a start n park at MWR. Good luck clint
ReplyDeleteC B is Making a big mistake
ReplyDeleteIts kind of funny, the things Clint Bowyer has said about Michael Waltrip being the worst driver in NASCAR, period. Well I guess he is the best owner for him then huh? It will be interesting to watch.
ReplyDeleteAnd hey, now that the #33 is free, why don't Dale Jr, head over there while there is still time. He is better off at RCR then he will ever be at Hendrick! He can take his sponsors too. Just a thought.
congrats to clint boyer joining mwr
ReplyDeletewelcome to family!!
its gonna be fun showing seeing 3 cars up front in 2012
Very cool, with that kind of talent, MWR is surely going to improve. I guess after Richmond's race Reutimann and Bowyer have no choice but to get along now.
ReplyDeleteWhether he's considered the "primary driver" or not is irrelevant at this point, because it's all about perception. What isn't just about perception is that RCR fields better cars than MWR. They are a more established, larger team, and they win races on a regular basis. If the goal is being "the guy," this is a good move for Clint, but it will come at the cost of losing his best chance to win races and compete for a championship.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Clint; you're gonna need it where you're going.
well, at least someone else said it before me.
ReplyDeletewe dont need a crybaby on our team
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine how Michael Waltrip will act when he's all hyped up on Five Hour Energy. He'll buzz through his sponsors like a super ball in a shoe box!!
ReplyDeleteAs for Clint going into MWR, he'll help the team with a solid barometer measuring the cars MWR fields as compared to the machines RCR was producing. Should be interesting and pleased MWR is going back to three vehicles.
I wonder what number they'll go for on the side of Bowyer's car?
I like Clint and always pulled for him. I wished he could have worked at the details to stay at RCR. I cannot pull for a Toyota no matter who drives it.
ReplyDeleteRichard Petersen...nice thought on Jr. to RCR but he already signed another 5 year with Hendrick. I would have been glad to have Jr. and Clint swap teams...in my dreams.
ReplyDeleteNot happy about this move if it is true. I like Reuty and Truex but I really don't think MWR has the equipment. Neither of those are cars are competitive and when Truex was in the chase last it was with EGR. A move to MWR is a huge huge downgrade. I hope I am wrong but I do not have a good feeling about this at all. Wish he just could stay with RCR.
CLINT had no choice, RCR charges a lot more money to sponsors than MWR, so no sponsor wanted to go to RCR... MWR had a deal with 5-hour energy if the right driver came along.. He could do a few years in MWR untill RCR gets rid of burton..
ReplyDeleteRFR is loosing a team #6
RCR is loosing a team #33
JGR, HMS nor Petty wont expand...
DEZX
MWR had no deal at all with Five Hour Energy. Five Hour was committed to go wherever Clint went. They were Bowyer's sponsor, not the team's, an I don't see any realistic chance of Bowyer returning to Childress in the foreseeabke future.
ReplyDeleteClint will fit in well at MWR. People who criticize must have never seen the facility Mikey has. They are growing still and this will help even more. You guys are the best duo in radio not named Howard and Robin.
ReplyDeletebig Bowyer fan, not a big MWR fan and really not a NAPA fan
ReplyDeleteClint was unhappy with many things at rcr. It wasn't just about the money although that did play a major role. To all the haters of this move, look at some of mwr's employees, a lot of familiar guys to Clint from rcr (barrior, Miller, etc). Its unknown what will happen in the next few years but its tough to judge this move 72 races from now let alone at the present moment.
ReplyDeleteWould all of you haters drive for MWR to continue your passion and career? Without a doubt...
ReplyDeleteOf course, everyone wants to see Clint at RCR-- but I'd rather see him still driving, than not at all.
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ReplyDeleteby the way boyer has to do what he believes is best for hi career
ReplyDeleteive always liked mikey,but his team lacks technology,resources,and money!clint is a champion caliber driver and gonna be driving a second rate car! but cant blame clint for leaving rcr.if i had to have harvick for a teammate,i would have to hang myself!
ReplyDelete