Jason Bowles works and races, nothing more really. His schedule doesn't allow for a hobby, leisure trips to the beach or even dating.

Bowles is all business -- the reality for a 25-year-old California native who is toiling up the ranks of NASCAR's developmental series hoping to one day race in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series.

“

Racing doesn't pay the bills -- I don't get paid to race but I'm grateful for the opportunity to race and hopefully it will take me to the next level.

”

JASON BOWLES

For now, Phoenix International Raceway is all the closer he will get to reaching his goal as the NASCAR Camping World Series West will run in companion with the Cup Series this weekend at the 1-mile track. It's a weekend where the Camping World drivers will share the same venue, along with fans and track time, with Cup drivers Thursday during the Jimmie Johnson Foundation 150.

"It would be wonderful if a Cup owner came up and told me they'd like to hire me, but I don't expect anything like that to happen," Bowles quipped. "I just want to get more experience on a bigger track like this one and make the most of the weekend racing on a larger stage as well."

In his second season, Bowles' Camping World goal is simple: Win the championship. The only place to go, Bowles said, is up. Last season, he took rookie of the year honors and finished third in the point standings. Most notable were his two road-course victories likely from his experience in the International Karting Federation as a young boy.

In qualifying for the 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series West opener Saturday, Bowles proved he can compete on ovals as well.

Bowles sat on the pole at the .333-mile oval at All American Speedway in Saturday night's Toyota NAPA AutoCare 150. He posted the top lap of 85.874 mph in his No. 22 Ford, marking his second career pole.

He said he had a car to contend for a win but finished 13th after being spun twice and forced to battle his way forward from the back of the pack both times.

That's racing life for Bowles, who shakes it off and readies himself for the corporate world on Monday. He's an outside sales rep for Oakley, a popular brand of sunglasses and apparel for many big stars in motorsports including Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Michael Waltrip.

Working in the company's motorsports division, Bowles' team develops and retails products such as safety apparel, gloves, boots, eye wear and driver suits.

"I make sure what wins on Sunday sells on Monday," Bowles said. "I also deal with the consumer product retail side of the business."

He enjoys the work because it allows him to keep racing as Bowles does not receive a paycheck or purse money from his Camping World team owner Bob Bruncati.

"Racing doesn't pay the bills -- I don't get paid to race but I'm grateful for the opportunity to race and hopefully it will take me to the next level," Bowles said.

He has a longstanding relationship with his team owner and values his judgment. Bruncati has known Bowles since he was 10 years old.

"I actually bought my first go-kart from [Bruncati] and stayed in touch with him," Bowles said. "I started racing stock cars with my dad at Irwindale Speedway and that's how we met back up."

Bowles caught Bruncati's attention in 2006 when, without any professional guidance or team help, the driver finished ninth in the weekly series at Irwindale.

"It was just me and my dad, but I think I adapt to new things quickly and my kart experience helped," he said.

Adapting to a mile track such as PIR will be a challenge, but Bowles welcomes the pressure and looks forward to sharing real estate with drivers he one day may compete against.