Carl Edwards resigned with Roush Fenway Racing weeks ago and yet Clint Bowyer is still on the market. While Edwards’ options for a 2012 ride were between Roush and Joe Gibbs Racing most expected Bowyer to wrap up his plans shortly after Edwards.
Earlier in the year it seemed unlikely that Bowyer would be anywhere other then the #33. Even when Andy Murstein seemingly smitten with you earlier this year it was hard to believe Bowyer was actually in play.
Murstein, co-owner of RPM, has been courting the Kansas native since January. He’s talked up the possibility of RPM expanding to four teams and has said that anytime you can add a driver capable of making the Chase you have to be interested.
Of course there seems to be a new player of late. When David Ragan won his first Sprint Cup race at Daytona in July everyone expected that the questions about him and Roush Fenway for 2012 had been answered. Ragan however has fallen down the standings sharply, out of the top-20, and may be even closer to the door or a possible shuffle over to RPM.
Bowyer’s personality seems to be laid back for the most part but does have the occasional melt down. With his down home tone and his rugged look he seems to fit right in with the current crew at RFR.
Of course there is still Joe Gibbs Racing out there. Gibbs and company has been patiently waiting to expand to a fourth team. When Edwards was on the market they let it known that it would take a driver capable of bringing solid sponsorship to the organization for them to expand.
While Bowyer couldn’t bring the interest of Edwards he still brings the hard working middle class guy act to the table. Of coure it’s not like Bowyer gets along the best with the current group of drivers in Kyle Busch and his well documented past with Denny Hamlin. But the same could be said for their relationships with Edwards and everyone was willing to get past that for the betterment of the team, so who knows?
Maybe Bowyer does stay home but the longer this drags on the more you have to ask. With Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick already resigned to multi-year deals and Paul Menard bringing solid and guaranteed sponsorship to the table is the opening at RCR really there to stay?
Austin Dillon is moving up the ranks in the organization and lets not forget he is the owners grandson. He’s gunning for a Truck Series title this year, will be full time in the Nationwide Series next year. Not too far down the road is Ty. Hmm. Clint you better act fact if you wanna stay at RCR because that door may be closing.
