MWR Weekly Wrap-Up: Clint Bowyer finishes 2012 on a high note

Who'd have thought that Michael Waltrip Racing's Clint Bowyer would finish second in the points?
Credit: Debbie Ross/Skirts and Scuffs

Years from now we will look back at 2012 and say that was the year that Michael Waltrip Racing became legitimate NASCAR championship contenders.

Throughout the ups and downs of the season, MWR remained one of the most consistent teams in the garage area. Let's look at the numbers:

Driver	Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Points
Clint Bowyer	3	10	23	2nd, -39
Mark Martin	0	4	10	26th (p/t)
Martin Truex Jr.	0	7	19	11th
Brian Vickers	0	3	5	35th (p/t)
2012 Totals:	3	24	57

Clint Bowyer's move to MWR late last year was met with much criticism, saying his career was over. No one would have guessed that in their freshman season together, Bowyer would finish second in the points, win three races and together with teammates Mark Martin, Martin Truex Jr. and Brian Vickers, put MWR on the map as legitimate race contenders.

Asking his feelings post-race, Bowyer answered honestly, “Frustrated and bummed out. I would've loved to have won that race, especially to beat him (Jeff Gordon). To end up second and second in points. There were several points in that race where I thought we were good and then we lost all of those positions on pit road and the 5 (Kasey Kahne) car was leading and I was like, ‘Well, there goes third. Now where is fourth? How am I going to lose fourth?’ To be able to bounce back through all of the adversity and overcome all of that and finish second is just a great feeling. I’m proud of Brian Pattie (crew chief) and all of the guys on the 5-hour ENERGY Toyota. They work hard and they deserve good finishes like this.”

After the race, Bowyer tweeted, "Can't believe we ended up 2nd. I didn't even know it was mathematically possible. Lol. Awesome job to everyone@MWRteam and my 15 guys!!!" As the stress of the season faded, he tweeted, "And now, now it's time for some down time. Pretty sure ima have a drink in my hand next several days. This shit's stressful!!!!!!!!!!!"

Not to just single out Bowyer, the entire MWR organization has grown leaps and bounds from years past. Status quo for 2013, I fully expect the team to be in the same and if not better situations throughout the season.

Thanks for following the MWR Weekly Wrap-Up this season, they have certainly provided me with a lot to talk about each week.