Around the Track: MIS

Nextel Cup rookie Clint Bowyer finished 14th in last weekend's road course race at Watkins Glen International to remain 17th in points and second among his rookie class behind Denny Hamlin.

Now he heads to Michigan International Speedway, where he was involved in a crash that left him 39th after starting ninth in the June 18 race.

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In Jack Daniel's "Around the Track,'' Bowyer addresses each week's venue as well as his philosophies on racing and life in general around NASCAR.

I see where David Gilliland might give up his rookie status for next year to run the final 14 races this season in the No. 38 Ford for Robert Yates Racing.

Running for the rookie title is important to me, but getting those races under his belt will be a huge advantage for next year.

Denny Hamlin [eighth in points] ran seven races last year and you can see what that's meant to him this season. Any experience in this competition is great to get a handle on things before you get after it full time.

Denny was able to get the ball rolling communicating with his team and figuring out what kind of body builds and chassis setups he likes. They were able to work on a lot of things to get ready for this season when a lot of us couldn't.

I wouldn't say that's the only reason Denny has driven so well, but if I'd have had the opportunity to drive seven races last year, I'd have been all over it.

I'm not sure I would be willing to drive more than seven races and give up my rookie status, but I definitely would have liked to have gotten some experience.

This rookie class has been pretty special with six or seven of us getting good rides. I'm not sure you'll see that many for a while.

There's been reports that Mark Martin might return next season because Jack Roush isn't sure Todd Kluever is ready to jump to the Cup Series. I'm not sure about that.

Racing against some of these young guys in the Busch Series, there are some strong drivers if somebody would give them a shot.

The problem is they're up against a lot of Cup drivers week in and week out and it's tough to get noticed. I did it the past couple of years, and to expect to beat guys that have driven those cars for a number of years is a lot.

When Richard Childress took a chance on me a few years ago there probably were a ton of people telling him he was a crazy man. I don't feel I've let him down yet.

Credit: Autostock

Inside the Numbers Bowyer in 2006 Track St. Fin. Laps Status Daytona 37 6 203 running Fontana 32 14 251 running Las Vegas 20 15 270 running Atlanta 16 27 324 running Bristol 27 29 495 running Martinsville 42 22 496 running Texas 12 19 333 running Phoenix 8 5 312 running Talladega 15 40 16 crash Richmond 20 10 400 running Darlington 3 23 365 running Lowe's 15 19 399 running Dover 22 17 400 running Pocono 42 21 200 running Michigan 9 39 86 running Infineon 28 16 110 running Daytona 30 10 160 running Chicagoland 38 9 270 running Loudon 31 27 307 running Pocono 14 41 194 running Indy 2 4 160 running W. Glen 14 14 90 running

But you've got to take chances on new drivers and see how they do. If they don't work, get you another one and don't give up.

I was 25 when Richard hired me for the Busch Series. Sponsors seem to want young faces, and guys like David Gilliland [30] need to take advantage of a chance like this.

As long as he can drive that's all that matters.

I also see where Elliott Sadler will replace Jeremy Mayfield in the No. 19 for the rest of the season. There seems to be a lot of change earlier in the year than usual.

I'm my own person. I try to concentrate on me and my driving and my racing.

But obviously those guys switching around, it's a good thing starting to build for next year. Sadler is a really good driver, but moving to the 19 now will help that team to move forward when they get to Daytona in February.

The same goes for Gilliland. Experience is something you can't get enough of.

I know it helps me going to a track like Michigan for the second time. I wrecked the first race. Somebody got into Tony Stewart and he put up a big old cloud of smoke. When the smoke cleared he was dead in front of me and I ran into him.

But Michigan has been a good track for me. In the Busch race last year, we led a lot of laps and had a really strong performance.

I like the track. It's a great place to race with multiple grooves. If the car is not working you can move around and find a place for it to work a lot better.

I'm bringing the Indy car that we ran fourth with, so we're optimistic we can have another good day like last weekend at Watkins Glen and build some momentum for the rest of the year.

But you never know what's going to happen. There are a lot of guys pushing to get into the top 10 and a lot of guys pushing to stay there.

Obviously, Watkins Glen was pretty wild. Tensions are going to be high these next few races going into the Chase and it's going to be interesting to see who can get in or stay in it.

I haven't really changed my style. We're just trying to get the points back we lost at Pocono when we were wrecked by Stewart. We're hoping to go back to Michigan and maybe get back inside the top 15.