UPDATE: NASCAR racer Clint Bowyer competed in his final race on Sunday, wrapping up a 16-year career at the pinnacle of stock car racing in North America. He has long been a crowd favorite due to his fun-loving, outgoing personality that comes across well whenever he’s interviewed. Well, next year, he’ll be on the other side of the microphone as he joins the Fox broadcasting team that covers NASCAR racing.
Bowyer’s motorsport interests don’t end at driving a stock car, however – he also enjoys snowmobiling, and was known to take his crew on an annual trip. He conducted the interview below with Snow Goer in 2017.
You may think that a man who rose to notoriety by winning more than 200 races in motocross, and who has since raced successfully in NASCAR for more than a decade, might have roots in other sports such as snowmobiling.
Not so says Clint Bowyer, current driver of the No. 14 Stewart/Haas Ford Fusion stock car. An eight-time Cup Series winner and the 2008 Xfinity Series champion, he grew up in Kansas, where he admits there weren’t many options for decent sledding.
It wasn’t until he became an adult surrounded by a team that has propelled him through a successful career that he took a liking to the sport we all love. Annually Bowyer and his team now take a trip to West Yellowstone, Montana, to get out in some powder and unwind together.
On the origin of the annual snowmobile trip…
We’ve done it a couple times. J.D. Frey is a long-time crew guy on my team and is friends with Chad and the guys at Ace Powder Guides and HiCountry Snowmobiles. They’ve been long-time friends and are just a great group of guys. When we go they’re kind of winding down with their guiding services for the year. We get to go up there, spend a week with them, just hang out. That’s the coolest thing – it’s such a beautiful part of the country in West Yellowstone; great views and a great time … I don’t know if I would go anywhere else.
On this year’s trip…
It was in April [2017], in-between the Vegas and Fontana races when we had a West Coast swing. It’s kind of hard to get back and forth, so we thought it would be a good trip to hang out with the crew and spend some time with them and go snowmobiling … I fell in love with it the very first time and ever since then I’m looking for another opportunity any chance I get … We went out there a few years back and had a blast, and it was like, “Hey man, get ahold of them, let’s go out and shred again.” We just had a blast, it’s so much fun.
On his lack of snowmobiling background…
Truth be told, I thought, “Hell, I’ve always wanted to do it.” I’m from Kansas, and the snowmobiling is shit out in Kansas – it wouldn’t be much fun [laughs]. It’s too flat out here. I just never had the opportunity. Growing up racing motorcycles I thought I would take to it and it would be easy, but man was I wrong. Holy cow, it’s a beast … Just the balance of it. I think it’s kind of a cross between a motorcycle and a four-wheeler. You can’t take all the mechanics that you learn from either for granted.
On why he enjoys snowmobiling…
Like anything in life, it’s about people. It gives you such a great opportunity to go out and enjoy beautiful parts of the country and hang out with friends. As we go through the grind of our schedule, it’s so important to be able to do something to get away. It’s pretty special and provides a great opportunity to do so … We had a great snow this year. When we went a couple years ago it wasn’t the best. [This year] It was powder and a different beast to tame. It’s all about the machine for me; I’ve always been that way since I was a kid. If it burns gas and goes fast, I’m in. These things rip, it’s amazing how fast they are and how much torque they have. And the suspension they have on them – being able to jump a piece of machinery like that is pretty damn cool.
On the best and most challenging parts…
Going up to the tops of those peaks and shredding in the deep powder will wear you out. I like being on those trails, but they will beat the hell out of you. I always enjoy that. It just tests different muscles. Growing up in motorcycling there was always something that would keep you in shape. Let’s face it, sitting in a car driving – obviously you’re conditioned to heat and things like that – but it just doesn’t work the same muscles as a snowmobile does. It definitely wore my ass out.
On the lack of similarities between stock car racing and snowmobiling…
The traction snowmobiles have – they just rip. They’ll rip your shoulders out of the sockets. Nothing I had ever done in my life correlated to anything on a snowmobile. I actually thought that physically it was one of the most amazing things I have ever ridden … You get out on these snowmobiles and they’re just huckle-bucking you everywhere. It’s a different beast.
On team building through snowmobiling…
First and foremost I love being in the outdoors. Sharing those memories is something special we can all remember for the rest of our lives. More than that, it’s just the camaraderie building and hanging out with those guys, showing the appreciation for those guys and giving back a little bit.
Editor’s Note: Every issue of Snow Goer magazine includes in-depth sled reports and comparisons, aftermarket gear and accessories reviews, riding destination articles, do-it-yourself repair information, snowmobile technology and more! Subscribe to Snow Goer now to receive issues delivered to your door 6 times per year for a low cost.
Great,,Now he should travel to northern wi..and see the trails and come with us to the Vintage Ice ovals at eagle river wi.than stay the week to see the late model sleds & champ..i have room if he wishes to see some real hard Ice Racing..If he thought trail sleds rip your arm off..he has got to sit on some Race sleds..Cmon on up and enjoy Northern wi..