Missing Rings: Clint Bowyer 2012

To this day 2012 is Clint Bowyer’s best career season in virtually every category. Bowyer beat the odds and was a championship contender in November but due to an ongoing feud that season questions will always remain of what might have been.
Starts: 36
Wins: 3
Top 5s: 10
Top 10s: 23
Poles: 0
Laps Led: 388
Standings: 2
Average Finish: 10.9
Video Credits:
Azevedo M
LP2008
Louis
NASCAR
nascarvideoarchive
wfrncsu012

[@TheIceberg]

I get it, I fucked up the audio. Get over it.

[@curtyos]

oh in case you didn't know you fucked up the audio

[@andreathesexy1]

Just to let you know, you fucked up the audio

[@torpedozi1173]

Not say that!!

[@maxbailey5260]

The audio is fucked

[@e93sports80]

that doesn't bother me

[@BlackFlagsMatter]

MWR really almost won a championship.

[@talhadevyt]

@@rcracer8872 when did we talk about dale during this?

[@albertshivers]

They would have been the first Toyota team to win a championship as well. MWR might still be around if they did.

[@lorddrac_dontaskmetodance]

@drsamw pepper I think Jimmie would be consistent top 15 in his prime if he was racing in Dale's era. Not terrible, but would cut his 7x championships a little over in half, and half the wins. As of Bowyer, if (underline if) Bowyer finished the Phoenix race, and finished the same way in Homestead, he would be very close, if not, actually win the championship.

[@IceFive5]

@@rcracer8872 why are you bringing Dale in?

[@boocebungus5839]

drsamw pepper u never know

[@jacobred00]

2012 was definitely a great year for Clint and that team. Hard to believe it took him over 5 years to win again.

[@lorddrac_dontaskmetodance]

I found this comment and profile picture very ironic. It was unintentionally funny. Edit: it originally was a Jeff Gordon pic.

[@ttewb12]

*Jeff Gordon has entered the chat*

[@shawnf820]

And to think the Phoenix incident likely doesn’t happen if David Reutimann just gets off the track and lets the battle between Jimmie and Jeff play out at Martinsville.

[@mwilliamshs]

lets = allows let's = let us

[@ScottXC91]

I’m still pissed about that to this day. That’s the exact incident that ran Reutimann out of the sport for good. Idiot limped around the track for laps on end and didn’t have the brains to get off the damn track. Jeff had that race in the bag.

[@thekingmansplainer6813]

please do missing rings on Brad keslowski 2014. It was his best season since his championship in 2012 and with all the drama he was involved in you could make a half a hour video if you want.

[@alawalter918]

Championship was in 2012.

[@thekingmansplainer6813]

@Camtheman 33 yeah your right 2014 should've come down to Gordon vs Keselowski but ironically because that happened 2 races too early neither of them got they title even though they both deserved it.

[@elgeronimo8947]

It’s kinda funny, there was a few year gap between seasons I watched consistently, that was the first season I watched in it’s entirety. I was a Gordon fan, and didn’t see that the Texas incident wasn’t all Keselowski’s fault. I grabbed the 1:64 model I had of him, and flung it across the room

[@thekingmansplainer6813]

@@elgeronimo8947 lol.

[@zikalokof1challenge414]

Imagine both Gordon and Bowyer on the same box on Fox, thats gonna be nuts

[@JustACorvetteGuy]

After choking up a championship he went through spingate the next year which nearly killed his reputation as a driver

[@erichk101]

Clint Bowyer should of won the title in 2012. Would of been cool to see Michael Waltrip win the Owners Championship.

[@archer8879]

@drsamw pepper for a team that was equalient with today's jgr. They deserved it

[@allprosportz686]

If Matt Kenesth was suspended in 2015 then jeff Gordon should’ve been suspended in 2012

[@elgeronimo8947]

All Pro Sportz Harvick should’ve also been suspended that year for causing the big one, that also seamed pretty intentional

[@frmnNnj]

I agree, Gordon flat out RUINED any chance Bowyer had at the championship.

[@elgeronimo8947]

One of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen out of a champion (coming from a major Gordon fan)

[@lorddrac_dontaskmetodance]

@drsamw pepper let me guess. Bowyer isn't Gordon, so he isn't shit, right?

[@elgeronimo8947]

drsamw pepper WHAT? He tapped Gordon into the wall, it was a racing incident !

[@lorddrac_dontaskmetodance]

That Phoenix race pissed me off. Thanks for making this. Clint is an underrated great!

[@jackduncan5442]

Stop.

[@NASCARFAN93100]

Danica Patrick will forever be The Catalyst of The Jeff Gordon/Clint Bowyer Saga (Which Foreshadowed The Matt Kenseth/Joey Logano Saga 3 Years Later in 2015) because of The Contract between Stewart Haas Racing & Tommy Baldwin Racing on The 10 Car benefitting both teams where Danica ran 10 races while David Reutimann ran the rest of the season on her behalf to stay in the Top 35 in which guaranteed her a spot in the start she made.

[@whatincarnation95]

F for MWR

[@24BEARCATS24]

I am not an MWR and a Boywer fan...

[@ianfromwiisports]

F

[@elgeronimo8947]

F F F F F F F F F

[@notiresjustgas3610]

F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F

[@randomkdm]

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF F F F FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF F F F F F F F

[@RawGator]

😢😭😭

[@LucasCram44]

0:25 trolled me even though it wasn't intentional.

[@EdwardWLTV]

6:12-6:22 is a little redundant...

[@JackLikesTrackhouse]

Clint messed Gordon up many times that year. He had it coming. Change my mind

[@lorddrac_dontaskmetodance]

Jeff had no chance in the championship anyway.

[@mattr.8470]

NASCAR Kumon Cup Series Perhaps. But if Kenseth got suspended in 2015, than Gordon should’ve been suspended in 2012. They were literally the same incident but with different drivers.

[@JackLikesTrackhouse]

Even as a big Gordon fan, I agree

[@stevenwalker9013]

I didn’t see much wrong with what clint did in that last race. Gordon was coming down as much as Jeff was coming up. The martinsville dive bomb was a sketchy move but if you look Newman was pounding on his bumper pushing him. Gordon and Johnson on old tire. Not that egregious

[@auburnltl7452]

I'm honestly kind of surprised he ended up there in the first place, considering in 2008 at Bristol he called Michael the worst driver in NASCAR period.

[@mvdbutler]

10:16 ladies and gentlemen we got him breakbot baby i'm yours playing

[@cujo27c]

Jeff Gordon wants to know your location

[@blufey2925]

Another great video from The Iceberg. This was Bowyers true one time legit chance to take home the hardware and a feud with 4x ended up costing him.

[@allennixon4745]

Clint had a great season that year until after what Gordon did. He completely ending Clint’s hope at a championship For MWR I love Jeff Gordon but that was really stupid what he did to Clint I felt sorry and bad for him.

[@jackduncan5442]

I was happy.

[@NoOneAskedSP]

Don’t feel bad fir him at all. He ruined at least 3 of Jeff’s races that year. You reap what you sow.

[@BobbyT.]

Great video as always.

[@hacksawjimthuggin7411]

Make no mistake, had Kulwicki lived he wouldve had a lot more than one year for a championship run like you said.

[@e93sports80]

thanks for taking my request

[@reverendrasheemstewart3744]

Great video

[@blakeandrews9496]

great video, thoroughly enjoyed it. but what’s with the two awkward moments where you repeat yourself around 5:50 ?

[@rubatowolf1170]

Whether Bowyer had it coming or not, Gordon should've definitely been suspended. Inconsistent calls happen sometimes, but that one is a black eye on the sport.

[@evannuh-koo-la4054]

With the old system, Keselowski still would've won the championship

[@kadens]

Same in 05, 06, 09, 13, and 17

[@barnesbunchutube]

Man I wish he had gotten one!

[@tylercole273]

The first nascar race I went to was that fall charlotte race. (The last race bowyer won before it took another 6 years for him to win)

[@oogrelover6927]

1:23 LEEEEEEEEEROYYYYYYYY. JEEEENKIIIIIINS

[@ballsthatclank]

Bowyer always played like he was innocent in the Phoenix deal, but he had that coming in the worst way. This is the same dude that nearly ended his career by fixing a race. Snake in the grass and Gordon knew it.

[@seamuso7020]

I remember wacthing the martinsvillie race live

[@tombo6245]

YESSSSS!

[@reck1224]

Good ol Clint never messed with Gordon after that.

[@jasonlitz2907]

Need a missing rings on Kenseths first year at JGR in 2013.

[@KLRWeekly]

The phrase ‘check your work’ from junior high & high school goes a long way, but nonetheless a unique video on a forgotten season. Well son.

[@KLRWeekly]

Done**

[@KLRWeekly]

As I say ‘check your work’ I make a mistake of my own. 😆🤷🏻‍♂️

[@aaronkristofer18]

Man I think he has the speed to make the Round of 8 this year.

[@AlessandroSebastian17]

You should do Missing Rings: Mark Martin 1990

[@the20gage83]

Missing rings Matt Kenseth 2013 next

[@kadens]

No matter what though, Jimmie still would have won. Old or 2013 system.

[@jimmiejohnsonfan48karrilot87]

Mikkey!

[@CBF65]

can you not spell “Mikey” correctly? It’s not that hard

[@b2b545]

Crashbfan65 2001 Daytona 500. Mikkkkey!

[@sammyschrecengost]

guess who will be in the booth together next season ....

[@nwpm3059]

I wish Michael waltrip racing would have won

[@ScottXC91]

I know you mentioned Bowyer finished 2nd at Homestead. But since this video is about stinging losses, I feel like it was worth mentioning who he finished 2nd to. Which was Jeff Gordon. In the very next race after the Phoenix incident. So not only did he lose the championship after finishing a painfully symbolic 2nd in the points, he did so by finishing a very painful 2nd on the race track to the very guy that ended his championship hopes the week before. Gotta work on your story telling man...

[@BoogityBoogityBoogity-nx9gy]

So NASCAR just let Gordon in the chase after spin gate when Bowyer screwed him, but just left Bowyer to rot when he got screwed over by Gordon?

[@ianfromwiisports]

How dare you hate my favorite driver

[@NickyD]

gorden should have been parked for what happened at phx yet matt was for doing it to joey clint got screwed out of the cup that year big time

[@axlbronzynski5406]

I think people wouldn't have been as mad had Gordon not gone out and won Homestead the next week. People hate him so much and hate him winning so much. Had Gordon finished last most people wouldn't have gave 2 shit that he wasn't suspended. Ik as a Gordon fan I am not being 100% fair. But I also dont think Kenseth should have been suspended either, because if you race people like that you shouldn't be upset when you get paid back. Golden rule. Race others how you want to be raced. And let's be honest everybody loves it when it doesn't involve their drivers because it is entertaining to watch.

[@michaelugwueke6312]

Missing rings: Jason Keller 2002

[@kbegay14]

Clint had it coming at Phoenix.

[@nvbgnimitz1902]

Kylegb24 no he didn’t he made contact so Gordon thinks it’s a good idea to ruin his championship hopes

[@benwychulis8958]

(I might not be truly correct here so don’t get mad because this is incorrect, these are estimates). So let’s say Bowyer finished 2nd at Phoenix, he would’ve been roughly 20 points back going into homestead. Then at homestead down by 20 Clint got 42 points, and Keselowski got 29, a difference of 13 so Bowyer still would’ve lost the championship by 7 points

[@reedspacer558]

Iceberg you need to do a missing ring over Martins entire career.

[@XNick291X]

Missing Rings: Martin Truex Jr 2016

[@roygoodhand1301]

Bowyer wins the Cup in 2012, MWR is still around to this day. Jeff Gordon killed Michael Waltrip Racing.

[@Tomsbananacakes]

I think even then, Bowyer was still only a long shot at the championship in 2012.

[@Ab_Ismael]

In the same format, if Bowyer wasn’t taken out by Gordon... and if he finished 2nd in Miami He still would’ve been 15 points too short from winning the championship

[@FaydsterTV]

Missing Rings: Jimmie Johnson 2012.

[@larry8030]

Its ironic how Gordon made this cheap shot move but then years later he would benefit from someone elses cheap shot move

[@FaydsterTV]

MWR almost had a championship?

[@0123renee]

Even though I'm a huge Gordon fan (Favorite sports icon ever), even I have to agree - that was a stupid move on his part. It was the one move that I just cannot defend from him, especially given the circumstances of said race.

[@ScottXC91]

Disagree. Just watch this video again and look at all the times throughout that year that Bowyer flat out ran Jeff over. Martinsville was the obvious one, but the second Martinsville race was the same, and a couple more incidents aside from that. They raced rough at Richmond as well. Bowyer had it coming. Then to top it off Bowyer INTENTIONALLY runs into Jeff to cut his tire down at Phoenix. Uncalled for. That was just as uncalled for as Jeff’s retaliation on my opinion. I love them both but I can see why Jeff had had enough of being run over at that point.

[@0123renee]

@@ScottXC91 Oh hello, I thought this comment has been thrown into the shadow realm. I personally don't blame him for wrecking Bowyer that day. It was more that Bowyer was a championship contender that year. I'm mixed on this, because Bowyer was asking for it after all the trouble he cause Wonder Boy. But at the same time, Bowyer was 2nd in the points and this one wreck took him out of the hunt because of someone else's rage. Poor Jeff had this same thing happen to him twice, too. 2014 Texas, man, that race still haunts me even now. And of course Bowyer was the one who caused the caution in the first place. :P Glad they made amends, though.

[@acemotherfckenfrehley9793]

Clint Bowyer doesn't deserve a championship

[@whoasked9500]

I disagree personally.

[@talhadevyt]

Nah he does

[@lorddrac_dontaskmetodance]

@drsamw pepper A career doesn't sum up a season. If the Cleveland Browns had a 16-827 overall record, but their 16 wins were in one season and they win the Super Bowl, it's a championship.

[@Highline_29_Designs]

@drsamw pepper and how many career wins did Kes have at this point of his career? Sometimes winning a championship is what lights a fire in a driver's career. That's what it did for Kes, who's to say it wouldn't have for Bowyer?

[@andysee6996]

Here are some suggestions. Bobby Allison 1972, 1981, and 1982 (those last two should be a double feature) Richard Petty 1976 Benny Parsons 1977 Darrell Waltrip 1979 and 1989 Cale Yarborough 1974 and 1980 Harry Gant 1984 and 1991 Bill Elliott 1985 and 1992 Tim Richmond 1986 Rusty Wallace 1988 and 1993 Mark Martin 1990, 1997, 1998, and 2009 Ricky Rudd 1991 and 2001 Ernie Irvan 1994 Jeff Gordon 1996 Dale Jarrett 1997 (should be a double feature with Mark Martin that year) Bobby Labonte 1999 Jeff Burton 1999 and 2000 (could be a triple feature with Bobby Labonte) Ryan Newman 2003 Greg Biffle 2005 Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch 2008 double feature Jimmie Johnson 2011 and 2012 Matt Kenseth 2013 Kyle Busch 2017 and 2018 (double feature)

[@Ab_Ismael]

Nobody had a chance against Truex in 2017 to be honest not even Larson

[@frmnNnj]

I don’t mean this in any offense (this is great content, and very interesting to watch) but in this case, Bowyer was not the best. He was probably 3rd best behind Johnson and Keselowski. I feel like this could be turning into “Contender For The Ring, Failed To Capture.”

[@lorddrac_dontaskmetodance]

He finished 2nd in points, behind Keselowski. He was only, like, 7 points from Keselowski until the Phoenix race. You read this right. Clint could have become champion if he made the finish at Phoenix.

[@frmnNnj]

Grindcore Racer 67 He could have been, but he wasn’t as good as Brad and Jimmie.

[@sethhanson6412]

That was only because Johnson had transmission problems at homestead

[@tombo6245]

Seth Hanson Johnson was like 80 back. Where they finished at homestead, Clint would have been super close to winning the championship if he wasn’t wrecked at Phoenix tbh

[@BallSoHardWill1994]

I lost so much respect for Jeff for this. Could you imagine the back lash if a back marker team did this to Gordon my god it would have been hell to pay

[@notiresjustgas3610]

Missing rings Kevin HARVICK 2018

[@louisgordon8540]

I was pissed when Gordon wreaked Bowyer.

[@jackduncan5442]

I loved it.

[@whoasked9500]

Kasey Kahne got 4th in points that year.

[@alawalter918]

Who?

[@whoasked9500]

@@alawalter918 Excuse me I meant Kasey Kahne.

[@jessiehenry5405]

Do Kyle Busch 2018

[@jessiehenry5405]

Yea But Without The Chase Bush Would Won

[@ricardomendoza2298]

@@jessiehenry5405 but would have loss in 2015 taking away that Amazing Championship comeback story.

[@jessiehenry5405]

True He Didn't Win That Title Without Chase

[@kylemerritt723]

This was actually the year I decided I wasn't going to root for Jeff Gordon anymore.

[@nickthestick1918]

I’m going to be honest here. This isn’t a missing ring..... Clint didn’t deserve the championship for the way he drove in 2012. And after the controversy in 2013 is arguable that he should deserve to drive at all.

[@Ab_Ismael]

K

[@sethhanson6412]

I would have done Jimmie Johnson instead of Bowyer

[@TheIceberg]

can do more than 1 per year

[@brokenreverie13]

I firmly believe that if Michael Waltrip Racing was still in NASCAR at this point, they’d at least have a championship and would be a big threat to Joe Gibbs Racing as being the best Toyota team in the sport. I was heartstricken for Clint Bowyer. I’ve always hated Gordon, period. But I’ll never forgive the asshole for taking out Clint.

[@jackduncan5442]

Fuck that glorified field filler clown Bowyer.

[@aid-kit11]

Bowyer would’ve win the championship with a top five in Phoenix and 2nd at homestead. Yeesh Jeff didn’t need to do that.

[@chrisbarnett4719]

He could've won the 2012 championship

[@spartan5713]

I’m sorry, but the amount of times Bowyer ruined Gordon’s day that year (and the time Bowyer manipulated Richmond)-what Gordon did to Bowyer at Phoenix was probably the least he could have done.

[@firesofanarchy2500]

Yeah Gordon intentionally wrecked him and probably should have gotten more than a fine especially given what they did to Kenseth just a few years later. Bowyer though after that bullshit to get Truex in has no right to act all morally superior about the whole thing.

[@oranjguy]

It is funny how Gordon is trashed for taking out Bowyer and no attention is given to the fact that Gordon was retaliating for just A couple labs prior to that Bowyer ran Gordon up into the back stretch wall and fucked his car up for good. If Bowyer wanted the respect and space given to him in that race for being a chase contender he needed to drive that race like he had a lot to lose and be respectful of other drivers. Gordon was not just a field filler in that race because he was running fourth in points himself and had he been able to finish that race without getting wrecked by Bowyer he would have moved up to third in the points most likely barring any other major shake ups with drivers in front of him

[@benwychulis8958]

Bowyer still wouldn’t have won the championship since Keselowski won at homestead so it’s not really a missing ring

[@clemsonfan322scstrong]

Clint could have won the title but Gordon had to be a child and ruin his chances

[@stevebirchall35]

That's what happens when an average racer at best fucks with a 4 TIME WINSTON CUP HIGH POINT CHAMPION!!!🏁🏁🏁🏁

[@wxracer23]

Repeat stuff

[@stevebirchall35]

Winning the chase doesn't make you a champion IMHO,a driver that shows up week after week and wins the HIGH POINT CHAMPIONSHIP makes you a CHAMPION.

[@Newmanfan4ever39]

unless he can pull a hail mary with shr bowyer might never win a championship

[@nicksheeder1757]

I like JG but that was a bullshit move

[@youfillmylifewithjello6661]

I'm sorry. I can't stand bowyer.

[@snoot4873]

Jeff being such a crybaby at Arizona...