Bowyer says future plans “didn’t align” with those of former owner

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Clint Bowyer described his future as “uncertain right now,” but there’s one sure bet you can make about Bowyer’s long-term plans.

He won’t be driving for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and new partner Rob Kauffman.

Earlier in the week, Bowyer and Kauffman, co-owner at Michael Waltrip Racing, agreed to go their separate ways at the end of the season. Bowyer is in the eighth month of a three-year deal with MWR, but that organization is allowing Bowyer to pursue other options for 2016 and beyond.

Kauffman announced he is purchasing an ownership interest in Chip Ganassi Racing. Though rumored to be joining Kauffman at Ganassi, Bowyer indicated his future plans and those of his owner have diverged.

“He (Kauffman) made a business decision to move forward, and that direction, as we all know from his previous statements, is the Ganassi organization,” Bowyer told reporters on Friday morning at Bristol Motor Speedway, site of Saturday night’s IRWIN Tools Night Race (7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN). “For my career and me and my future, it’s just unfortunate that Rob and I—our futures didn’t align anymore.

“It’s as simple as that. It was a mutually agreed upon thing, and it was something that was not ugly, and it was something that we did professionally, and we made our decisions, and that’s why we’re where we’re at.”

Though reports have mentioned Bowyer as a potential heir apparent to three-time champion Tony Stewart, Bowyer was non-committal about his plans.

“The future for me is uncertain right now,” Bowyer said. “What I’m going to have in the future and what that future holds for me will be another announcement, and I’ll tell you as soon as possible. It’s as simple as that.

“I’m confident in the sport, I love this sport, and the sport has been good to me and my family—had a lot of great partners and a lot of great organizations that I’ve worked for. And I see no reason why somebody that works hard and wants it like I do in this sport can’t have a job for as long as they want.”

NASCAR Wire Service
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