Bowyer returns to site of only '08 Nationwide win

Clint Bowyer, the 2008 Nationwide Series champion, returns to the series this weekend for the first time since the season-opening race at Daytona. Bowyer will drive the No. 29 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in Saturday's Scotts Turf Builder 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

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Bowyer's only win last year came in the spring race at Bristol, which ended after 171 laps (of 300) because of rain.

"We got tight at the end of the race and we needed a pit stop, but the weather came in and we were forced to stay out," Bowyer said. "Kasey [Kahne] had the better car, and it was fun racing him to the end. He took the high lane, and it forced me to change my line a little bit to block him with the rain coming at any minute."

Because Bowyer is not full time in the series, points are not a concern, and he can take chances Saturday when the opportunities are there.

"I'm not racing for individual points, I'm racing for wins," said Bowyer, who also finished second last August at the .533-mile track. "And Bristol is certainly a place I feel like we can go out and notch our first victory."

Michael McDowell, No. 47: McDowell, 24, is second in the rookie standings, five points behind Brendan Gaughan. McDowell, who has never raced at Bristol, moved into the top 10 (10th) with his sixth-place finish at Las Vegas, his first top-10 in NASCAR.

Brendan Gaughan, No. 62: A Nationwide Series rookie at 33, Gaughan has raced at Bristol only in the Cup and Truck series. In 2004, his only year in the Cup Series, Gaughan finished 20th and 35th. In five Truck races, he has two top-fives in five races, including a second in 2007. Gaughan is fourth in the point standings.

Brad Keselowski, No. 88: Keselowski won at Bristol last August after finishing fourth in March. He needs a strong finish to jumpstart his season. His first three starts have produced finishes of 22nd, 27th and 27th -- well below expectations of a driver who finished third in the standings last season.

Joey Logano: "I learned a lot in my first Nationwide start there last year. I spun in qualifying and didn't get a good starting spot, but we had a strong [car] in the race and passed a lot of cars. We should be even better this time around. That place is a different animal. The learning curve is pretty steep, but it's still short track racing and that's what I grew up doing."

Chad Walter, crew chief for Justin Allgaier: "You have to get the car comfortable for the driver to be aggressive every once in a while. The car has to be predictable so when the driver sees an opening he can take it. Track position is paramount. You have to keep your car in the lead pack all day to have a shot for the win."