Clint Bowyer's disappointing finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway ended any chances of the Richard Childress Racing driver making this season's Chase, but it doesn't mean he won't make the most of the remainder of the season.

"We will try and win some races in the Chase and spoil everyone else's chances," Bowyer said. "[Atlanta] was one of those nights, there were a couple of wrecks and spins right in front of me, but fortunately we didn't get collected in them. It was a frustrating night. We really expected to be competitive but we missed the setup. Nonetheless, we've run good this year for starting out with a brand new race team."

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We will try and win some races in the Chase and spoil everyone else's chances.

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-- CLINT BOWYER

So now he's looking forward to next season, when RCR will restructure the operation's competition department.

"I'm excited about it. It's been a long time coming. [owner] Richard [Childress], he's carried the load for a long time. It keeps getting bigger and bigger, adding more people, more personnel and he's still taking the load on himself. I think I'm proud of him for putting the right people in place and giving our company some depth and some organization. I feel like it's really going to help ease some load off of him, some tension off of him and ultimately will help our performance on race day."

That said, his performance wasn't far off as Bowyer posted 10 top-10 finishes and four top-five finishes in 2009.

Meanwhile, the Kansas native is trying to find levity in life while dealing with one of RCR's most disappointing seasons. Here are five things that may have briefly taken his mind off the point standings.

1. Your boss is an avid hunter. Does he ever take you?

"A couple times. He's quite the hunter; it's not like going in your buddy's backyard. He tends to go overseas, a long ways away. I don't like those long plane rides."

2. And what about the other Trip?

"My dog Trip ... I have a lot of fun with him. I got him here in Atlanta, we actually thought about going back and seeing his parents while we were here to see if he recognized them. He goes everywhere with us and we enjoy him a lot."

3. You turned the big 3-0 this year. Did it have a profound affect on you?

"Sure feels like it. Everything is a little bit slower and you think about growing up, believe it or not, and that's not much fun."

4. You're one of the remaining few bachelors in the Cup Series, what's that like?

"It's like I said, turning 30 and growing up, that's a big part of that."

5. Consistency is what you're known for on the track, but what are you inconsistent with off the track?

"Gosh, everything just about."