Clint Bowyer takes a hard hit on home track at Kansas
Kansas native Clint Bowyer was looking for a big day Sunday in front of his home crowd at Kansas Speedway. Instead, Bowyer took a big hit into the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barrier in Turn 2.
Bowyer was running the high line around the corner when his No. 15 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota broke loose and the rear end began to come around. Trying to save it, Bowyer turned the wheel back to the right, but the car hooked and hit the wall hard at the exit of the corner.
The impact briefly lifted Bowyer's tires off the ground, destroying the car and ending his day early.
Thanks to the SAFER barrier and other safety innovations inside the car, Bowyer was able to climb from the car under his own power, but was frustrated with how the day came to an end.
"I was following (Jeff) Gordon there, and I started to catch him back. I went in and he kind of took my line away, so I tried to pull down and soon as my headlight got out and got some air, boy it bit and turned me," Bowyer said after walking from the infield care center. "I probably should have just spun it to the outside, but I thought I could save it. Guess what? I did not save it.
"That was a hard hit. It gives you a wake-up call," he added. "I was actually having some fun. We were doing better than I thought we were going to. Just disappointed. I'm frustrated. You always hate to have something like that happen, especially at home."
With the hard impact, Bowyer finished the day in the garage in the 40th spot. This marked Bowyer's worst finish at Kansas Speedway, and second-worst finish of the season.
