Friday Bristol Notebook

Friday Bristol Notebook

Notebook Items:

-           Bowyer says future plans “didn’t align” with those of former owner

-           A business decision for Kauffman, too

-           NASCAR XFINITY Series exhibits increasing depth

August 21, 2015

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

Bowyer says future plans “didn’t align” with those of former owner

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Clint Bowyer described his future as “uncertain right now,” but there’s one sure bet you can make about Bowyer’s long-term plans.

He won’t be driving for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and new partner Rob Kauffman.

Earlier in the week, Bowyer and Kauffman, co-owner at Michael Waltrip Racing, agreed to go their separate ways at the end of the season. Bowyer is in the eighth month of a three-year deal with MWR, but that organization is allowing Bowyer to pursue other options for 2016 and beyond.

Kauffman announced he is purchasing an ownership interest in Chip Ganassi Racing. Though rumored to be joining Kauffman at Ganassi, Bowyer indicated his future plans and those of his owner have diverged.

“He (Kauffman) made a business decision to move forward, and that direction, as we all know from his previous statements, is the Ganassi organization,” Bowyer told reporters on Friday morning at Bristol Motor Speedway, site of Saturday night's IRWIN Tools Night Race (7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN). “For my career and me and my future, it’s just unfortunate that Rob and I—our futures didn’t align anymore.

“It’s as simple as that. It was a mutually agreed upon thing, and it was something that was not ugly, and it was something that we did professionally, and we made our decisions, and that’s why we’re where we’re at.”

Though reports have mentioned Bowyer as a potential heir apparent to three-time champion Tony Stewart, Bowyer was non-committal about his plans.

“The future for me is uncertain right now,” Bowyer said. “What I’m going to have in the future and what that future holds for me will be another announcement, and I’ll tell you as soon as possible. It’s as simple as that.

“I’m confident in the sport, I love this sport, and the sport has been good to me and my family—had a lot of great partners and a lot of great organizations that I’ve worked for. And I see no reason why somebody that works hard and wants it like I do in this sport can’t have a job for as long as they want.”

A BUSINESS DECISION FOR KAUFFMAN, TOO

For the first time since announcing he would buy an interest in Chip Ganassi Racing, Rob Kauffman laid out his reasons for making the move, one that has the unfortunate consequence of idling the Michael Waltrip Racing organization.

I wasn’t personal. It was business. Kauffman said he and co-owner Michael Waltrip remain close, despite the impending split.

“Mike and I are business partners and good personal friends,” Kauffman said. “I think what’s probably missing there is the financial side of the picture. Michael Waltrip Racing really wouldn’t have existed through till today without substantial and continued financial support from me.

“I think that, just from a business standpoint, that didn’t make sense any longer. You can’t have a top-10 budget and top-10 resources and not be in the top 10 for a sustained period of time. It’s a performance-related business. It’s all about performance…

“I’m voting with my wallet as well as heart and continuing to invest in the sport via Chip Ganassi Racing.”

XFINITY SERIES EXHIBITS INCREASING DEPTH

To assess the depth of talent among NASCAR XFINITY Series regulars, look no further than the Dash 4 Cash program that awards $100,000 to the top finisher among four qualified drivers in four designated races, including Friday night’s Food City 300 at Bristol.

All told, nine different drivers have claimed the 12 Dash 4 Cash positions for the three races so far. Regan Smith has won the first two installments (at Dover and Indianapolis).

“We hear it all the time, wanting to know how healthy our sport is moving forward – drivers, young drives coming in, talented drivers coming in,” said Elliott Sadler, one of the four eligible Dash 4 Cash drivers at Bristol. “I think it shows that a lot of the (Sprint) Cup-affiliated teams across the board have got some good shoes in their cars, and I think that’s why so many different guys have qualified for the Dash 4 Cash. 

“We’re lucky enough to be a part of it. A couple of years ago, it was the same three or four drivers in each Dash 4 Cash. This year, it seems like it’s a little bit more of a widespread group, so that means everybody is more on an equal playing field than what they were four or five years ago. That’s what it shows to me, that there’s a little more depth in this series than what it was, which is good for the sport.”