Clint Bowyer placed on probation for retaliating against Denny Hamlin at Dover
Clint Bowyer veers toward the wall after contact from Denny Hamlin in the Nationwide Series race at Dover. // Sam Cranston, NASCAR Illustrated
NASCAR placed Richard Childress Racing’s Clint Bowyer on probation until June 16 – three Nationwide Series races – for overly aggressive driving in the Nationwide race Saturday at Dover International Speedway.
The probation covers any participation by Bowyer in any NASCAR series, and he could be subject to heavier penalties for a repeat violation while under probation.
Bowyer was parked for the final six laps at Dover for intentionally wrecking Denny Hamlin under caution. Bowyer was running second a few laps earlier when Hamlin got into the back of him on a restart. Bowyer pitted and when the cars began to circle the track after a red flag, he drove into the side of Hamlin’s car.
Bowyer met with NASCAR officials after the race.
“[They said] you’re not supposed to do that,” Bowyer said after meeting with NASCAR officials. “We’re professionals and we’re supposed to be out there putting on a show for the fans and not carrying on [like] that.”
Bowyer received the same penalty that Carl Edwards and Jason Leffler received for retaliation in races earlier this year.
