Clint Bowyer hits the wall after contact with Scott Riggs at Kansas. Credit: AP

Wreck ends Bowyer's solid home-track run

Tangle with Riggs while running second thrwarted potential victory

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Because it was built in 2001, Kansas Speedway does not yet have a rich racing history, and it is safe to say Clint Bowyer didn't grow up imagining himself winning in its 1.5-mile surface.

That didn't mean Sunday's loss was any easier to take.

Tony Stewart celebrates his third victory of the season. Credit: Autostock

Unofficial Results Banquet 400 Pos. Driver Make 1. Tony Stewart Chevy 2. Casey Mears Dodge 3. Mark Martin Ford 4. Dale Jarrett Ford 5. Jeff Burton Chevy 6. Carl Edwards Ford 7. Kyle Busch Chevy 8. Brian Vickers Chevy 9. Clint Bowyer Chevy 10. D. Earnhardt Jr. Chevy • Complete results, click here • Driver standings, click here Victory LaneTony Stewart celebrates his wild victory at Kansas Top finishersBurton, Martin, and Mears talk the crazy finish Final lapsStewart coasts to the checkered flag at Kansas Speedway Running on emptyGordon runs out of fuel and gets a push to pit road Tough dayKenseth spins into grass causing minor damage Race RewindWatch a condensed version of the Banquet 400 Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

Bowyer grew up in Emporia, Kan., a mere 110 miles from Kansas City, and wanted nothing more than to clinch his first Nextel Cup win in his home state.

The win will have to wait.

Bowyer admittedly made critical errors during Sunday's Banquet 400, the most notable coming on Lap 173 when he crashed while trying to work his way around Scott Riggs. The high side at Kansas was ultra-slick as temperatures approached 90 degrees, and Bowyer couldn't hold his Chevrolet on the track.

"I was trying to make something work that I knew better," said Bowyer. "I made a lot of mistakes, but I always try to learn from them and come back.

"It was slick. I thought we kept up with it pretty good and I was trying too hard."

The crash backed Bowyer's Chevrolet into the wall, but the car was not severely damaged, and Bowyer rallied to finish ninth.

"I got out and saw how bad the left rear was," said Bowyer. "That just tells you how good the car really was."

After the race, Riggs thought that Bowyer was angry at him for racing him hard, but Bowyer did not scold Riggs when he made his post-race comments, instead blaming himself for the error.

After the race, Riggs waited to speak with Bowyer for five minutes, but when Bowyer didn't return to his hauler, Riggs left.

"Riggs got down and took my line and he was battling for position and he was doing what he had to do," said Bowyer. "It forced me in a situation I didn't want to be in and I wrecked.

"I was trying too hard, trying to win this thing."

Riggs, who finished 34th, said he tried to give Bowyer plenty of real estate.

"I just hate that for him. I asked one of his [crew] guys about it, and he said [Bowyer] was upset at me for racing him," said Riggs. "I understand him being upset, but it's not like I raced him hard. I gave him a lot of room and I just hate it for him because he had a good car today."

Bowyer led 43 laps, easily a career high, and he also scored back-to-back top 10s for the first time in his brief career. He is the only Richard Childress Racing driver without a win this season, but Bowyer was convinced he would be a threat at Kansas.

He was right.

"I just really had a good handle on the car and this car always ran good," said Bowyer. "I knew even before coming here that I would run good with this car just because I had this much confidence in it."