Clint Bowyer entered Sunday’s race looking two points ahead, not 32. After Jeff Gordon wrecked him last Sunday at Phoenix, Bowyer was fourth in the Sprint Cup standings, two points behind Kasey Kahne.
But Bowyer finished second to Gordon at Homestead and not only passed Kahne but also overtook Jimmie Johnson, who entered the race second in the standings, 32 points ahead of Bowyer, but fell out in 36th place after breaking an oil line.
To his surprise, Bowyer finished 39 points behind champion Brad Keselowski, one point ahead of Johnson and 16 ahead of Kahne who ran 21st Sunday thanks to a pit road speeding penalty.
“To be honest with you, I had no idea,” Bowyer said. “I didn’t even think I could reach second. I was focused on two points behind the 5 (Kahne). That was my goal was we had to somehow beat the 5, and that’s no easy task. They’ve been running well each and every week. Seems like Kasey will have a good day or a good weekend and then we have a good weekend and we never could really separate ourselves throughout the Chase.
“Seemed like one common denominator separated us for a few weekends and put us right back. Like I said, it’s been a fun year, and I’m glad that it’s over. I’m going to do whatever I want to do next week — exactly whatever I want to do, whatever I feel like. Probably going to have some beers. Yes, probably going to hunt something — then have another beer.”
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