Ten Questions With ... Clint Bowyer

Richard Childress Racing driver Clint Bowyer took a moment this week to chat with FanHouse. Here's what the Kansas native told us about good meals, gettin' back home, next Wednesday's Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream (live on HBO pay-per-view) and Elvis:

1) What's the one race, across any division or any type of race cars, that you've always wanted to win?

Clint Bowyer: It'd definitely have to be Daytona. The Daytona 500 has always meant so much to our sport and to me personally. Kansas Speedway would certainly be a close second -- just because I have all my family and friends there.
2) If Clint Bowyer wasn't a NASCAR driver, he'd be...

CB: You know, I always worked in car dealerships as I grew up and I've always enjoyed the car industry. I can myself in some sort of management role at a car dealership.

3) You got your start in motorcycles and then doing some dirt track racing. Are you like Dale Earnhardt Jr. with his closet Indianapolis 500 dream? Do you want to race or try any other forms of motorsports?

CB: Man, I'm racing what I dreamed of racing. I always wanted to compete in stock car racing and NASCAR at its premier level. I'm doing what I've always wanted to do. I'm living out a dream.

4) Alright, Clint, tell me, why did you use the song C.C. Rider for your intro music at Bristol?

CB: [Laughs] I was always a big Elvis fan and that was the song he used to start off his concerts. If it's good enough for the King, it's good enough for me.

5) You had a nice two-week break here after Bristol. What did Clint Bowyer get himself into?

CB: Actually, I got home to my hometown Emporia, Kan., and hosted a golf tournament that raised over $250,000 for the kids and the community. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend off.

6) Some drivers talk of a 'Welcome to NASCAR' moment where they just suddenly realize that it doesn't get much bigger than this. Did you ever have that?

CB: It wasn't really the Nationwide Series for me, but it was when I got my first Cup start at Phoenix. It's crazy to be able to start your first Cup race and look over and see Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart on the race track -- you know, all the guys I grew up watching on TV. Just to be able to be in that race was my 'Welcome to NASCAR' moment.

7) If dinner could come from anywhere in the world tonight, where would that be?

CB: Oh man, I've got to go with mom's home cooking. You can't beat that.

8) Your newest sponsors -- Hamburger Helper, General Mills -- don't exactly fit the same type of experiences involved with old sponsor Jack Daniel's. Still, what's the coolest thing you've done thanks to a sponsor?

CB: Obviously Jack Daniels had some pretty neat things, but with General Mills and Hamburger we've certainly done some fun things. I've been in some commercials and got to be in an episode of "The Biggest Loser" this year. That was cool.

9) If Clint Bowyer could run NASCAR, he would...

CB: [Laughs] Well, being a racer, I'd say I'd something with the schedule. I know everyone has got a job to do, but as a racer I'd say the schedule is a little long and drawn out. It'd be nice to shorten it up a bit.

10) Finally, how bad do you want to beat Tony Stewart next week at his home track of Eldora Speedway for the rescheduled Prelude to the Dream?

CB: Man, we're all shooting for Tony on that one because he's got that home-track advantage. Otherwise, being able to race Eldora means a lot to me. Growing up and racing dirt cars, that was the track that you always wanted to get to. My career path kind of turned before I had my chance there, so to go back and race Eldora means a lot to me.