// MotorSportsNews.Net(work)

Clint Bowyer reached for an umbrella rather than the checkered flag as the Kansas native won the Nationwide Series Sharpie Mini 300 at the Bristol Motor Speedway.

Bowyer, who opted to stay out front when all but seven other cars pitted used his track position to claim his first win of 2008 as the event was red-flagged and called for rain after running 171 laps of the scheduled 300.

Mother nature made her presence known as qualifying was rained and the field was set on 2007 owner’s points, giving the pole to Scott Wimmer and the RCR twenty-nine team.

The event was delayed several hours due to inclimate whether, and most of the team was prepared to have the race shortened.

NASCAR rules mandate that an event that runs half the advertised distance is an official event. This year’s race went twenty –two circuits beyond the half way mark

Bowyer started fourth, and made quick work of getting to the front as he led three times for a total of 122 laps. His final pass for the win came on a lap 101 caution and Bowyer took the point after beating other cars off pit road.

Bowyer held the lead for the final sixty-five circuits by holding off a hard charging Kasey Khane. Khane who was clearly faster was unable to make a pass as Bowyer used slower cars to block any passing opportunities for Khane.

“It’s awesome — I take it any way I can get it,” said Bowyer after the race was officially called. “Kasey raced me clean. He had the best car. This is a racetrack that’s always been special to me ever since I’ve come here. It’s hard to race on, and you’ve earned it every time you roll into victory lane.”

Khane came home in second, followed by David Reutimann, Brad Kelelowski, and Mike Bliss.

The race saw six lead changes among three drivers.

The event was slowed seven times for caution and stopped on lap 171 for a red flag due to rain.

Bad luck continues for Kyle Busch. Busch, who is leading the drivers standing in both the Cup and Truck series. Busch has seen solid performances on the Nationwide side go away at Las Vegas and Atlanta. This week Busch who was fourth fastest I practice got behind the wall early as Martin Truex Jr, driving for his old teammate Dale Earnhart Jr, spun on lap twelve and collected Busch ending the day for both drivers.

“I feel bad for those guys,” Truex said. “I wanted to do a good job for them. I feel pretty stupid running ten laps and wrecking.”

Several team had problems on pit road. Most notable were Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick. Missing lug nuts brought the teams back in for penalties. Hamlin never fully recovered, but Harvick rallied past the miscue to finish seventh. Had it not been for mother nature, Harvick who picked up twelve positions in the last sixty laps was on pace to be a force to be reckoned with.

Harvick’s performance puts him in the lead in the Championship standing fifty markers ahead of Bowyer.

Nationwide regular Mike Wallace who came home tenth marked his 300th career start; He is twelfth on the all time start list.

Dario Franchitti started and finished twenty second was the top rookie in the race and currently leads the rookie of the year standings.

Next week the series heads to Nashville Superspeedway for the Pepsi 300. Carl Edwards is the defending race winner.