Bowyer takes center stage as Nationwide champion (cont'd)

When NASCAR president Mike Helton introduced Bowyer, he said "In these tough times, I think one of the greatest assets NASCAR has is its character; and its character comes from the people who make up the sport, like the Gibbs [family] and Richard and Judy [Childress] and so many others.

"Clint, as people get to know you, they're going to see NASCAR's character in you, and the longer you participate in this sport, you're going to contribute greatly to the character of NASCAR. We're honored to have you as our 2008 Nationwide Series driver champion, and with that I get to give you your [champion's] ring, which I don't think is gonna be the last one of these you get in your career -- at least I hope not."

Bowyer congratulated Gibbs' table and thanked everyone in Childress' organization, particularly his crew chief that was in his third season as a team head at RCR.

"After coming up short in 2005 and 2006, I felt as though I had some unfinished business," Bowyer said. "So in the offseason, Richard and I sat down and decided that we would take another crack at winning the Nationwide Series championship.

"Now Richard knows a thing or 12 about winning championships, and pairing me up with Dan Deeringhoff and everyone on the BB&T Chevrolet was exactly what we needed to make a run at the big trophy."

JGR president J.D. Gibbs left his seat at one of two head tables fingering his notes, put them in his pants pocket and promptly forgot they were there, choosing to ad lib when he got to the podium.

"Richard, great job, and Clint, a phenomenal year -- and thank you, Clint, for springing for the party tonight, that's awesome," Gibbs said. "Knock yourselves out -- and Kyle [Busch], don't laugh, because you're springing for it next year, man. These drivers have that kind of cash."

Earlier in the weekend, JGR officials announced Busch would race for the 2009 Nationwide championship in the organization's No. 18 Toyota. But in 2008 Gibbs' four drivers won 20 of the season's 35 races, including one that Busch scored in a Braun Racing Toyota. Nine came from the No. 20 Camry as Tony Stewart won five races, Denny Hamlin two and Busch and Joey Logano, who both attended the banquet, a single win apiece.

"Our season has really been phenomenal," Gibbs said. "I was talking to my dad [former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs] and in his second year as a head coach he wins the Super Bowl. It took nine years for us to win a Cup championship [in 2000, with Bobby Labonte] and it took 11 years for us to win a Nationwide championship. Richard does it every year, and we just say, 'How does he do that?'"

During the weekend, both Bowyer and Edwards had recalled their dirt track backgrounds, as did Childress in his opening remarks.

"Clint, what can I say about you with a straight face?" Childress said, evoking a raucous burst of applause and laughter from the crowd. "I knew you could do it. Congratulations and thanks for all you've done for RCR. Only in America can these young guys like Clint Bowyer and Carl be racing the dirt tracks all over the country and having the dream to be racing in NASCAR some day."

Edwards, who won seven times in 2008, also recalled the two men's dirt track roots and shared some light moments.

"It was a great season," Edwards said of second-place finishes in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup drivers' championships. "But it sucks, though. If I'd known it was gonna be this close, I would've driven it in just a little bit deeper in Milwaukee, Clint."

Edwards and Bowyer got together late in the Milwaukee race as Edwards went on to win.

"I'm just kidding," he said. "It's awesome racing with Clint, and Richard's getting mad at me again. But we're ready for 2009."

Following an opening video that reviewed highlights from the first half of the season, the balance of Saturday night's event was a tribute to Bowyer, his team and the RCR organization that celebrated its fifth series championship in the last six season. JGR, which celebrated its first championship after 11 years in the series, also received honors, as well as the rest of the top-10 finishers in the season standings. (Continued)