CONCORD, N.C. – Clint Bowyer noted Friday morning at Charlotte Motor Speedway that the 17-turn, 2.28-mile ROVAL is “just about” as wild and unpredictable as he can be at times.
That being said, Bowyer’s response was particularly predictable when asked if anything that he’s ever raced compares to driving the hybrid road course and oval layout that he and the rest of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series field are faced with this weekend.
“Hell no!” Bowyer laughed. “Nothing compares to this deal here.”
Bowyer did note, however, that he hasn’t seen as much anticipation for one race in a long time as he has for Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL 400.
“Yesterday we did a fan day at Stewart-Haas Racing … and the turnout was phenomenal,” he said. “It really took me back to the pre-2008 days, especially with how our world in NASCAR was then. The energy, the people … that’s the way I remember the height of this deal.
“It’s exciting because now we have something new to sell to fans, and let me tell you, they’re excited to see it,” continued Bowyer. “That’s what got me excited. Marcus (Smith) has done a great job of turning this into an event, and not just another race, and I think that’s a really big deal for everyone.”
“I think we’re all going to be pleasantly surprised at the crowd for this race and it’s cool to be on the forefront of something like this.”
On that note, Bowyer appreciated the fact that NASCAR took the initiative to do something different in putting this year’s ROVAL event on the Cup Series schedule and in the playoffs.
“We’re trying something new in this sport, and I’m happy that we’re doing that. I’ve said for a long time that we need something new,” Bowyer pointed out. “Now, I’m not saying that every mile-and-a-half track should go put a road course in their infield and we run these all the time … but Marcus having the ability and vision to be able to change one of his races for the fans is pretty remarkable in this day and age.
“There’s a lot of signage, a lot of infrastructure and a lot of change here. A lot went into this race and I hope for his sake that it goes off with a big bang.”
Bowyer has some past ROVAL experience, however, in the form of a Rolex 24 at Daytona start in 2013 with AF-Waltrip Racing. He co-drove a Ferrari 458 in the GT class and finished 16th overall that year.
That led Bowyer to joke that Charlotte Motor Speedway officials should take the same approach with the ROVAL.
“We oughta make this a 24-hour race!” he laughed. “It’d be way more fun. We’ve done everything else. I think a 24 would be fun, but I’d want to do it all myself.”
