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NASCAR

Clint Bowyer understands challenges of adjusting to new team

By SceneDaily.com

Jan 21, 2009

Richard Childress Racing's Clint Bowyer, who heads into the upcoming 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season with a completely new team, expects to face challenges in getting the fledgling outfit up to speed.

"It's going to take time; I'm not going to lie to you," Bowyer said this week during the Sprint Media Tour presented by Lowe's Motor Speedway.

After competing in the No. 07 RCR Chevrolet for the first three years of his Cup career and making the field for the Chase For The Sprint Cup Series in 2007 and 2008, Bowyer will drive the team's newest entry, the No. 33, in 2009.

Former Hendrick Motorsports' driver Casey Mears will take over the No. 07 that Bowyer drove to two victories, 16 top-five and 45 top-10 finishes in 109 starts.

While acknowledging the challenges, Bowyer remains optimistic.

"I'm a realist, and I know that this is a combination that can be really successful," Bowyer said in reference to his new team.

In an effort to build team chemistry, Bowyer, his crew chief Shane Wilson and the rest of the team tested earlier this month at the GM Proving Grounds in Mesa, Ariz.

"We needed to do that," Bowyer said. "Whether it was just to sit in and go through a pit stop, we really needed to do that, and I'm really looking forward to going to Daytona in February."

Bowyer is also impressed with Wilson. After talking with numerous crew chiefs, Bowyer realized that Wilson was the man he wanted to work with.

"I've got a lot of confidence in Shane Wilson," Bowyer said. "He's very organized, and he's got a plan. He was the only one that didn't say he'd just show up and see what [RCR] would give him. He was methodical enough to know what he wants to get out of this."

Wilson has worked at RCR since 2006, and during that span, he has guided the team's No. 21 Nationwide team to 10 victories and a championship with Kevin Harvick. Before coming to RCR, Wilson worked for Penske Racing.

"It's not like we haven't worked together," Bowyer said. "We know each other, and he's listened in on all the radio communication between [former crew chief, Gil Martin] during the latter part of last season. He's got a game plan and [is] ready to go to bat."