Clint Bowyer announced his retirement from full-time driving Thursday night in a LENGTHY post on Twitter. Bowyer’s 15-year run in the Cup Series will conclude when the checkered flag falls at Phoenix.
In those 15 years, Bowyer has recorded 10 wins and 224 Top-10 finishes. While rarely the quickest guy on track, Bowyer has always had the ability to bring the car home with a decent finish. His time at Stewart-Haas Racing has been underwhelming at best. Two wins in 4 seasons may be great if you’re RCR or Roush Fenway but not when you’re SHR.
So with the #14 seat open for 2021, who gets the ride?
Chase Briscoe and Chase Briscoe Only
Listen, 2020 was the worst-case scenario for Clint Bowyer. Zero wins so far, an economic downturn, and Chase Briscoe absolutely lighting the Xfinity Series on fire.
Before the season Briscoe said he needed 8 wins to justify his job in the sport. Two weeks ago he got his 8th win of the season and it appears SHR is going to reward him. Briscoe is an Indiana native, a dirt guy like Tony Stewart, and a prominent part of Ford’s development program.
Leaving Briscoe in the Xfinity Series for another year wouldn’t do much for his development. We know Briscoe can dominate that series, we’re watching it right now. Briscoe’s upside is huge, SHR has big plans for Briscoe while Bowyer has plateaued. Not to mention Briscoe has 10 Xfinity wins in 78 starts while Bowyer has 8 wins in181 starts. Granted rules are different but Briscoe has lit it up.
Briscoe is an easy sell to existing #14 sponsors too. Rush Truck Centers is getting the hottest prospect in the sport. Peak, Dekalb, Mobil, and whoever else is getting a good one in Briscoe assuming they stick around.
SHR needs to invest in younger drivers. Kevin Harvick’s career can’t go on forever and when he leaves SHR becomes rather pedestrian. Once the oldest team in the sport two years ago will now have two guys with under tow years of Cup experience next year.
Also, Kyle Larson isn’t going to SHR.
